Panthers to release veteran center

Bozeman began his career with the Ravens, seeing first-team playing time at both guard and center. It was in the latter role that he finished his rookie contract in 2021, remaining a full-time starter over the course of that campaign. In his first trip to free agency, the former sixth-rounder headed to Charlotte on a one-year pact. Bozeman made 17 appearances (and 11 starts) in that time.

A mutual interest existed between team and player to work out a new arrangement, and that was indeed the case last March. Bozeman inked a three-year, $18M deal to remain with the Panthers. After only one year on that pact, however, Carolina – now led by general manager Dan Morgan – will cut bait and begin to search out a replacement. By timing the release after the new league year begins, the Panthers will have the option of designating this move a post-June 1 cut. That would yield $2M in cap savings and $5.64M in dead money.

Bozeman earned a PFF grade of 62.2 in 2023, a figure which falls roughly in line with most of his past performances. Strong play as a run blocker was overshadowed by shortcomings in terms of pass protection. The 29-year-old was charged with eight sacks allowed as part of a Panthers’ O-line which struggled to keep quarterback Bryce Young upright. Major changes up front will be a top priority for Morgan and Co. in free agency and/or the draft.

The 2024 free-agent class already featured a few center options for teams to choose from, but Bozeman will be a notable addition to the group. Highly regarded for his work off the field, the Alabama product has earned the Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination in both Baltimore and Carolina. He will be hard-pressed to land another pact averaging $6M as he did last offseason, but he should manage to find a new home in relatively short order.