Well, so much for competition.
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Carolina Panthers are expected to release center Bradley Bozeman at the start of the new league year. Bozeman, who has spent the past two seasons in Charlotte, signed a three-year, $18 million extension with the organization last spring.
The possibility of this departure became a bit real this past week, when Joe Person of The Athletic reported that the team was looking to add another center into the mix. Person wrote the following on Thursday:
With Taylor Moton entrenched at right tackle and Dave Canales and Dan Morgan committed to Ikem Ekwonu at left tackle, the Panthers are focused on bolstering their inside line spots. In addition to guard, the Panthers also want to bring in a center to compete with or replace Bradley Bozeman, according to sources familiar with the team’s thinking.
Per Pro Football Focus, the sixth-year hog molly allowed the most sacks (eight) and sixth-most pressures (32) amongst all centers in 2023. Bozeman’s place as a downhill blocker in new head coach Dave Canales’ wide-zone run approach also raised some doubts about his status moving forward.
In addition to Bozeman, the Panthers are also reportedly expected to part ways cornerback Donte Jackson and tight end Hayden Hurst in the coming days.
