With Ready Player One set to hit theaters next week, a Google search for the word ‘Gunter’ is about to have a totally different meaning, but to the Carolina Panthers, it means bringing back a familiar face to bolster their young corp of cornerbacks on the outside after the Panthers announced they are bringing back former Miami Hurricane and Green Bay Packer LaDarius Gunter; the team failed to tender him as a restricted free agent earlier in the off-season.
The 25-year old Gunter was claimed by the Panthers after being released by the Green Bay Packers before Week 2 of the 2017 season and saw playing time in four regular season games, primarily contributing on special teams; however, he was on the active roster and received snaps at outside cornerback in the Panthers’ playoff game against the New Orleans Saints when injuries pressed him into service.
Although he had a reduced role in 2017 with the Panthers, Gunter was (like presumed starter and fellow free agent signing Ross Cockrell) considered the #1 cornerback on his previous team, starting 15 games in 2016 for the Packers and making 58 tackles, forcing two fumbles and racking up 15 passes defensed. Gunter joins Cockrell, James Bradberry and Kevon Seymour as the presumed four outside cornerbacks on the roster at this early stage, with more free agency, the draft and training camp battles yet to be won and lost. Corn Elder and Captain Munnerlyn are expected to take the inside cornerback role, but players such as Cole Luke, Zack Sanchez and Lorenzo Doss are expected to compete for roster spots as well.
While Gunter was not tendered as a restricted free agent before the deadline earlier this month, that was when the team’s cornerback group was thought to look very different, with the Panthers having agreed to terms with cornerback Bashaud Breeland before Breeland failed his physical and it was announced that the 26-year old would not be joining the team.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed at this time.
