Over the last few weeks, the Carolina Panthers have made various roster moves in preparation for free agency and the NFL draft.
The Panthers cut veteran cornerback Dane Jackson and will not re-sign veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson. They also re-signed veteran quarterback Andy Dalton to a two-year deal and veteran long snapper J.J. Jansen.
In addition to those roster moves, Carolina could have a new return specialist for the 2025 season. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Panthers aren’t tendering restricted free agent running back Raheem Blackshear.
The #Panthers are not tendering RFA running back Raheem Blackshear, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 2, 2025
Blackshear, who will hit free agency, was Carolina’s primary kick and punt returner.
Panthers Elect Not to Tender RB Raheem Blackshear in Free Agency
If the Panthers tendered Blackshear, they would've had the chance to match any offer he would have received as a restricted free agent. With Carolina not giving Blackshear a tender, he will hit the open market this month as an unrestricted free agent.
The 25-year-old running back has spent the last three years in Carolina after joining the team in September 2022 after getting cut by the Buffalo Bills.
Blackshear hasn’t spent much time playing offense as most of his responsibilities have been to handle punt and kick duties. Over his three-year run with the Panthers, the former Virginia Tech running back only has 341 yards from scrimmage and three rushing touchdowns.
Blackshear had his best year returning kicks this past season with the Panthers. He led the NFL in kick returns (31), ranked second in kick return yards (791) and second in yards per kick return (25.2).
Also, Blackshear averaged 8.5 yards per punt. During his Carolina tenure, Blackshear averaged 26.3 yards per kickoff return and 8.7 yards per punt return.
With the Panthers allowing the 25-year-old running back to explore the open market, they might have to find a new returner this offseason. However, there’s also a chance the two sides could reunite depending on how things shake out.