Nobody will be “it” for the Carolina Panthers this offseason.
As reported by Will Kunkel of FOX Charlotte on Friday morning, the Panthers won’t be putting the franchise tag into play this offseason. Teams have until Tuesday, March 7 to decide if they want to tag one unrestricted free agent from their rosters.
This was an expected move (or non-move) for Carolina, who will be losing the fewest amount of 2022 snaps to the open market in the spring. While the Panthers have already expressed at least some interest in bringing back a few players such as running back D’Onta Foreman, center Bradley Bozeman and quarterback Sam Darnold, none are projected to sign for an annual salary anywhere close to the 2023 franchise tag rate.
When Tuesday’s deadline passes, it’ll mark the second consecutive offseason in which the Panthers have not used the tag. The last time they did came in 2021 with starting right tackle Taylor Moton, who was eventually signed to a four-year, $72 million extension four months later.
