Carolina Panthers: Don’t Cut Jonathan Stewart, Please

By John Woodcock | Jan 5, 2017

Jan 1, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs the ball in the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

The Carolina Panthers could get a $4.75 million savings by cutting running back Jonathan Stewart.

How much are four and a half million dollars worth to the Carolina Panthers? It seems a particularly odd time to ask such a question with Panthers having plenty of cap room at the moment. However Dave Gettleman has gotten this far by managing every dollar the team spends carefully. He showed his knowledge of cap savings last year when the team cut Charles Johnson in order to save five million dollars.

Who is sitting on four and a half million dollars? Jonathan Stewart is. The starting running back is due to make seven and three tenths million dollars this upcoming season. That is only if he is on the roster. He would have a cap hit of around three million in dead money if he was cut. That would leave four and three quarters million in potential savings.

Stewart is nearing the thirty wall for running backs. His injury issues may extend some of his vitality on the back end, but he is looking like an 800 yard back perennially. This seems true whether he is sharing carries with DeAngelo Williams or Cam Newton. Stewart’s last 1,000 yard season was 2009, which was his only season like that. Running backs are viewed pretty disposably in the NFL these days.

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If he gets cut, those will be numbers that they cite. They might also bring up his declining yard per carry numbers.

Really, the Panthers should keep him anyway and eat the cost.

Stewart’s numbers should be better next year for two reasons. One is that the Panthers offensive line should be healthier. He won’t have to fight for yards so much. Second, the Panthers have be taking away carries from Cam Newton. They risk running him ragged and burning him out if they don’t.

The other thing to mention is that a succession plan at the position would work better with Stewart rather than without him. If the Panthers were to draft Dalvin Cook or Leonard Fournette, there might be pressure to start them right away. But it takes two in the NFL and the Panthers need to move away from Newton being the two guy.

Stewart is quite capable as the other guy in a running back duo. He made it work with Williams after all. The Panthers could begin to move away from him but still have him available. Resist the urge, Gettleman, and keep the man.

How much are four and a half million dollars worth to the Carolina Panthers? It seems a particularly odd time to ask such a question with Panthers having plenty of cap room at the moment. However Dave Gettleman has gotten this far by managing every dollar the team spends carefully. He showed his knowledge of cap savings last year when the team cut Charles Johnson in order to save five million dollars.

Who is sitting on four and a half million dollars? Jonathan Stewart is. The starting running back is due to make seven and three tenths million dollars this upcoming season. That is only if he is on the roster. He would have a cap hit of around three million in dead money if he was cut. That would leave four and three quarters million in potential savings.

Stewart is nearing the thirty wall for running backs. His injury issues may extend some of his vitality on the back end, but he is looking like an 800 yard back perennially. This seems true whether he is sharing carries with DeAngelo Williams or Cam Newton. Stewart’s last 1,000 yard season was 2009, which was his only season like that. Running backs are viewed pretty disposably in the NFL these days.

If he gets cut, those will be numbers that they cite. They might also bring up his declining yard per carry numbers.

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Really, the Panthers should keep him anyway and eat the cost.

Stewart’s numbers should be better next year for two reasons. One is that the Panthers offensive line should be healthier. He won’t have to fight for yards so much. Second, the Panthers have be taking away carries from Cam Newton. They risk running him ragged and burning him out if they don’t.

The other thing to mention is that a succession plan at the position would work better with Stewart rather than without him. If the Panthers were to draft Dalvin Cook or Leonard Fournette, there might be pressure to start them right away. But it takes two in the NFL and the Panthers need to move away from Newton being the two guy.

Next: Looking at the Defensive Line

Stewart is quite capable as the other guy in a running back duo. He made it work with Williams after all. The Panthers could begin to move away from him but still have him available. Resist the urge, Gettleman, and keep the man.

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