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Former Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Cade Mays learns his fate with the Carolina Panthers
Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Cade Mays learns his fate with the Carolina Panthers

Originally posted on A to Z Sports  |  By Zach Ragan  |  Last updated Aug 11, 2025 2:55 PM ET

Former Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Cade Mays learned his fate with the Carolina Panthers for the 2025 season this week.

Mays entered the offseason competing with Austin Corbett for the Panthers’ starting center job.

The former Tennessee standout played in 11 games with eight starts at center for the Panthers last season. In Week 18, Mays played every snap in Carolina's win against the Atlanta Falcons while earning an 81.4 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus. 

Panthers head coach Dave Canales announced on Monday, however, that Corbett will be the Panthers' starting center this fall.

Canales told reporters that the battle was "really close".

With Corbett penciled in as the Panthers' staring center, it means that Mays will operate as Carolina's top backup center/guard option.

Mays, by the way, is scheduled to earn $3.263 million in 2025 after getting tendered by the Panthers earlier this spring.

It's not an ideal outcome for Mays, but he should still have some opportunities to make an impact for the Panthers in 2025.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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