Panthers Make Shocking Cut Ahead of Week 1

The Carolina Panthers are preparing to play the New Orleans Saints to open the 2024 NFL season on Sunday.

However, before the Panthers set foot in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the team made a shocking roster move that will impact their defense. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Carolina has released veteran pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson.

Panthers Release Former First-Round OLB K'Lavon Chaisson

The Panthers signed the former first-round pick to a one-year, $2.5 million deal in the offseason after spending the first four years of his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Carolina brought Chaisson, Jadeveon Clowney, and DJ Wonnum in the spring to fill the void left by standout pass rusher Brian Burns.

Chaisson has struggled to live up to his first-round billing, only posting five sacks and 11 tackles for loss in 57 games (11 starts). Last season with the Jaguars, the 6-foot-3 linebacker produced 13 total tackles, eight quarterback hits, four tackles for loss, and two sacks.

The former Jaguars linebacker didn’t do much in the preseason to show that he should be a part of the Panthers’ defense. Chaisson made two starts in the summer circuit and posted one tackle in 29 defensive snaps played.

Nonetheless, with the Panthers releasing the 25-year-old pass rusher, Carolina will lean on Clowney, DJ Johnson, Eku Leota, and Jamie Sheriff at the outside linebacker spot heading into Week 1. The Panthers will likely continue to address the defensive line throughout the regular season until they find the right pass-rushing combo.

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