Report: Carolina Panthers Expected to Release Chris Gamble

The Charlotte Observer is reporting that the Carolina Panthers and their new general manager Dave Gettleman will release defensive back Chris Gamble.

December 11, 2011; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Chris Gamble (20) during pre game against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

If and when the transaction is made it will be the first major transaction made by Gettleman since he was hired by the Panthers as the general manager.

The Panthers are trying to cut down their salary cap by March 12th, the start of the new season.

If they can cut Gamble and his $10.9 million cap, it will free up nearly $8 million in cap space for the Panthers.

In the past three seasons, Gamble has missed eighteen games. He is about to turn thirty years old this month and just based on those two factors alone, it makes sense for the team to move on. In fact he only played in four games this past season.

He has 438 career tackles, only one sack, and twenty-seven interceptions.

There are many defensive backs in this year’s NFL draft that should give the Panthers plenty of options to choose from if they choose to avoid the free agency.