Entering training camp, it was expected that Graham Gano and Joey Slye would compete for the kicker spot on the Panthers roster. However, the competition ended just days after the players officially reported.
First announced via social media by Gano’s wife Brittany, the longtime veteran has been cut by the Panthers.
Gano spent all of the 2019 season, his 11th in the league on injured reserve due to a left leg injury. He also missed the final two games of the 2018 season because of a left knee injury.
Before that, Gano had been a reliable kicker for the Panthers as he converted on 14 of 16 field goals in 2018 and 29 of 30 field goals in 2017, which included a Pro Bowl selection. Actually, between 2017 and 2018, Gano converted on 93.5% of his field goals during that span.
The Panthers then rewarded him with a contract extension worth $17 million, with $9 million guaranteed during the 2018 offseason.
Fans might best remember Gano’s 63-yard game-winning kick against the New York Giants during Week 5 of the 2018 season.
Gano spent the entire 2019 season on injured reserve, and that opened the door for Joey Slye, who was initially thought to be brought in just for an extra leg during training camp. Slye had his ups and downs but exhibited a dominant leg as he made 25 of 32 of his field goals during his rookie season. He also was 8 of 11 from 50 yards or more and 31 of 35 on extra-point tries.
With Gano’s release and Michael Palardy on injured reserve due to a season-ending ACL, the Panthers specialty unit from 2018 will be entirely different. Carolina signed undrafted rookie Joseph Charlton to handle the team’s punting duties last week.
Carolina is a bit of a reboot under head coach Matt Rhule. With the team having to get the roster to 80 players by August 16, it makes sense that the team would move on from a veteran kicker who was set to make over $4 million from the Panthers this season in a year when two kickers in camp will be a luxury.
Especially when the Panthers have a younger kicker option anyway in Slye, who has proven he can kick at the NFL level.
