Panthers $15 million cut candidate could draw interest from Packers, Cowboys, Eagles
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Panthers $15 million cut candidate could draw interest from Packers, Cowboys, Eagles originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Carolina Panthers have beefed up their defense in a big way by signing Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd in free agency.
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But could they subtract from that side of the ball soon? Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox thinks it's possible.
In an article naming cut candidates around the NFL, Knox labeled Panthers edge rusher Patrick Jones as one of them.
Here's why:
"While Carolina would undoubtedly love to see Jones healthy and playing up to his potential in 2026, it may be forced to move on," Knox stated. "The Panthers now have just $5.1 million in effective cap space, and they could save $4.8 million by releasing Jones. He'll be a player to watch as Carolina navigates the raft and continues reloading its defense."
Jones signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the Panthers last offseason after a seven-sack campaign with the Minnesota Vikings the year before.
However, Jones was limited to just four games due to injury and was unable to return to help the Panthers in the playoffs.
With the Panthers having just $4.2 million in cap space to work with going into the draft, it's conceivable Carolina could cut him to clear more room.
Packers, Cowboys and Eagles could have interest
Three teams that should have their eyes on this situation are the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles.
The Packers' edge rusher group isn't looking too hot right now after the team parted ways with Rashan Gary in a trade with the Cowboys. Making matters worse, Micah Parsons isn't guaranteed to be ready by Week 1 due to his torn ACL.
The Cowboys' acquisition of Gary was a significant one that will help their edge rusher group in 2026, but Dallas needs more, especially after Gary proved unreliable in the second half of last season.
In Philadelphia, the Eagles have yet to make any semblance of a significant addition along the edge and they lost Phillips to Carolina in free agency.
Jones is far from a guarantee to make the kind of contribution all three teams need, but the pickings are slim out there and he should come cheap on the open market off a down season and that presents the opportunity for a bargain signing.
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