Do You Play LB? The Panthers Need You After Releasing Josey Jewell

What They're Saying

Darin Gantt of Panthers.com: "According to a team spokesperson, the 30-year-old Jewell wanted to prioritize his health and recovery and be considerate of his teammates, and the move allows the Panthers to move forward with a group of players who are able to get all the practice reps when camp opens tomorrow. If all goes well with his recovery, he could return to the team at some point in the future."

2025 Fantasy Football Impact

"A group of players" is probably the nicest way to describe the LB depth chart Jewell leaves behind. Here are the contenders:

• Christian Rozeboom
• Trevin Wallace
• Claudin Cherelus
• Jacoby Windmon
• Jon Rhattigan
• Bam Martin-Scott
• Tuasivi Nomura

If you didn't know any of those names before now, don't feel bad. Dave Canales would have had trouble rattling them off.

Rozeboom spent the past 3.5 years with the Rams but didn't start more than five games until last season. The team ramped up his playing time late in the year and was so enamored that it let the 28-year-old walk for a one-year, $2.5 million pact with Carolina.

Wallace arrived as a third-round pick last year. He managed eight starts thanks to injuries ahead of him and graded out poorly overall but played better in coverage than in other facets. He's probably the best bet for consistent playing time this season.

We'll see how Carolina sorts its LBs -- and whether Jewell can better before this season. That's tough to bet on given that he's already nine months post injury.

Bet on the Panthers adding someone. These guys look like the best free-agent options (not necessarily in order):

• Kyzir White
• Eric Kendricks
• Ja'whaun Bentley