5 Panthers Leaving Carolina in the New Year

2. Austin Corbett, C

The trenches are where things start and end. Carolina inked center Austin Corbett to a three-year, $26 million contract in 2022 and was believed to be a staple along the interior.

Since stepping foot in Carolina, the injuries have followed Corbett. In the regular season finale against the New Orleans Saints in 2022, Corbett tore his ACL. He returned to the field in 2023 and logged four games. Unfortunately, his season was cut short when he tore his MCL in the same knee from the year before. Things didn't get better this season either. In Week 5 against the Chicago Bears, Corbett ruptured his biceps tendon and was ruled out for the season.

He suffered major injuries in three straight seasons and is going to be a free agent this spring. According to Spotrac, Corbett will still have a $7 million cap hit in 2025 whether he's on the team or not.

With his durability in question, there's a good chance they won't bring him back in 2025. The Panthers need to have a secure and reliable offensive line to protect whatever quarterback is under center. Center Cade Mays has stepped up and started seven games for the Panthers this year. Across 428 offensive snaps, Mays hasn't given up a sack with just two hits allowed. Per PFF, he has a 71.9 pass-blocking grade.

Mays was drafted in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft and is signed through 2025. His cap hit is $1.1 million and gives them a cheap option. He's also 25 years old, making it that much easier for the Panthers to part ways with Corbett.