NFL free agency is less than a month away, and Carolina Panthers fans are curious to see how general manager Dan Morgan will handle the upcoming contract negotiations.
It's safe to say Morgan will have his hands full in the coming weeks as 21 Panthers players will become unrestricted free agents on March 12, according to Spotrac. While several players' fate is abundantly clear at this point, one whose outlook is still up in the air is kicker Eddy Pineiro.
It's hard to imagine the Panthers' special teams without Pineiro, who's been their starting kicker since 2022. Having said that, one NFL analyst is under the impression that Carolina is more than willing to let the 29-year-old veteran test his worth next month.
Panthers Rumors: Eddy Pineiro Potentially Testing Free Agency
On Feb. 11, the Panthers revealed that they had signed kicker Matthew Wright to a futures contract, leaving fans to wonder what that meant for Pineiro's future. Although Wright's addition may have been done to provide Pineiro with training camp competition, The Athletic's Joseph Person notes that the signing means the latter might be given the green light to test free agency.
"The (Wright signing) on its own doesn’t spell the end of Pineiro’s time in Charlotte," Person wrote. "But the sense in league circles is that Carolina will allow Pineiro to test free agency."
Mentioned this week that the Panthers were expected to bring back J.J. Jansen, who gets a one-year deal.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) February 14, 2025
What I’m hearing on Eddy Pineiro and Johnny Hekker, who are also pending free agents: https://t.co/GbdVKoVm4Y
After joining the then-Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2018, Pineiro spent four seasons bouncing around five organizations before signing with the Panthers in August 2022. A preseason injury to Zane Gonzalez opened the door for the ex-Florida Gator to run away with the starting job — an opportunity the latter wouldn't let slip through his grasp.
Pineiro has been often reliable since then, including when he nailed 94.3% (33-of-35) of extra points and 84.6% (22-of-26) of three-point attempts in 2024. Although that's far from the worst performance, the Miami, FL native's lack of long-distance attempts suggests that the Panthers could be ready to move on.
"Accuracy has never been the issue with Pineiro. But Panthers coach Dave Canales and his staff seemed to have little faith in Pineiro’s leg strength," Person added. "Pineiro’s two attempts from 50-plus were the fewest among 25 kickers who tried more than 25 field goals in 2024."
Pineiro went from attempting seven field goals of at least 50-plus yards in 2023. Even though the Panthers' lackluster offense didn't always give him the best field position, the fact that he only attempted two tries from that distance can't be ignored.
Time will tell what Wright brings to the table in his third Panthers stint. The former UCF kicker most recently spent parts of the 2024 campaign with the Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans, and San Francisco 49ers, converting on 15-of-16 (93.8%) of field-goal tries — including going 1-of-2 from 50 yards or further.
As solid as Pineiro has been for the Panthers, Wright's arrival has clarified the writing on the wall. Unless GM Morgan suddenly loses all faith in his offseason signing, expect Pineiro to test free agency when it begins on Wednesday, March 12.