After a stellar campaign from kicker Eddy Piñeiro, the Carolina Panthers have essentially been forced to pick between two legs—his and Zane Gonzalez’s. And according to Will Kunkel of FOX Charlotte, they may have made their choice.
Kunkel tweeted on Monday that Carolina will keep Gonzalez and possibly allow Piñeiro, who is expected to have a decent market in free agency, to sign elsewhere.
Zane Gonzalez will return as Panthers kicker next season, per sources.
Eddy Pineiro is will likely garner a lot of attention on the free agent market after a great 2022.
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) March 13, 2023
Gonzalez was signed off the Detroit Lions practice squad back on Sept. 14, 2021. He’d proceed to have a solid first campaign in Carolina, pushing through 20 of his 22 field goal attempts and 22 of his 23 extra point tries before succumbing to a season-ending quad injury during warmups in Week 15.
Lightning would, unfortunately, strike twice for Gonzalez—who was fresh off signing a two-year extension last offseason. While practicing on the sideline during the team’s 2022 exhibition against the Buffalo Bills, the 27-year-old sustained a season-ending groin injury.
That setback gave way to Carolina’s signing of Piñeiro—who netted 33 of 35 field goals and 30 of 32 extra points this past season.
