Panthers make Cade Mays RFA

[Loyalty4Life]

https://catcrave.com/carolina-panthers-hedge-their-bets-with-no-brainer-cade-mays-free-agency-tender

Great move by the Panthers.  Cade really came on strong last year (8 starts).  Look no further than his starts against the Giants (Dextor Lawerance) and the Eagles (best dline in NFL) late last year.  He really held his own and could be the long term answer.  If we go into next season with him as the starter I'm not mad at it at all.

3.3 million for 1 year.  The RFA allows other teams to offer him but we can match. 

I keep hearing we are trying to resign Corbett too and when healthy he is a better option but that is the big question.  I'm all for it at the right contract and having Mays takes into account potential injury.

[Captain Morgan]

I don't know how good he is, but we do have 2 very good guards to help him.   And with so many holes, this seems like a good move.  Would still rather draft a C in the 4th or 5th to compete with him

[jayboogieman]

Welp, guess that means we can take center off the list for draft picks.

[frankw]

The only logical thing to do. I'd still like to see us draft a center by next year. It's going to have to happen. It already should have. But that's for another discussion.

Edited March 7, 2025 by frankw

[Aussie Tank]

Good move still needs competition though 

[Prowler2k18]

44 minutes ago, frankw said:

The only logical thing to do. I'd still like to see us draft a center by next year. It's going to have to happen. It already should have. But that's for another discussion.

Agreed. Hate that we passed up Zach Frazier in last year’s draft. Imagine him between Hunt and Lewis. What might have been. That said, I’m glad they’re holding on to Mays. 

Edited March 7, 2025 by Prowler2k18

[kungfoodude]

52 minutes ago, jayboogieman said:

Welp, guess that means we can take center off the list for draft picks.

It is a very weak center class unlike last season when we passed on a 10 year starting center.

[KSpan]

6 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

It is a very weak center class unlike last season when we passed on a 10 year starting center.

Buy high, sell low. It's the Panther way.

[Captain Morgan]

59 minutes ago, jayboogieman said:

Welp, guess that means we can take center off the list for draft picks.

 

need a RT.  hope we can find one in the 3rd to learn behind Moton this year and then take over.  But Moton has been dealing with injuries for a while, so I hope we get one before the 4th.  So many damn needs, but OL has to remain a strength

[MHS831]

this is a no brainer move.  He got better every game. He is better than Corbett--and he will only get better next year.  Yes, playing between our guards, but Corbett did as well for a short while and Mays was playing better.
He is a starting C.  He is not weak.  He needs depth and competition is not a bad thing--I might even try to lock him down--he is 25, great at pass blocking (meh in run blocking)

[LinvilleGorge]

Good move. He's a versatile IOL. That's easily worth $3.3M even if he's the primary IOL backup. Bryce finished out the season on a very strong note. Don't let the OL take a step back. Let's see if we can keep that ball rolling.

[MHS831]

7 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Good move. He's a versatile IOL. That's easily worth $3.3M even if he's the primary IOL backup. Bryce finished out the season on a very strong note. Don't let the OL take a step back. Let's see if we can keep that ball rolling.

We have Zavala too who was good in small samples.  IOL depth is solid if we get another C.  I think they also like Jarett Kingston who might compete for swing T, but he can play all 4 positions that don't touch the ball. 

[TheSpecialJuan]

[PNW_PantherMan]

That’s the face of a man that needs 500 napkins to eat anything remotely messy.  Proud of our boy.