Panthers' Mays Move: Savvy Non-Move Saves Cap Space

0:00Cade Mays, the former Carolina Panthers Center, signed a three-year, $25 million deal with the Detroit Lions this off-season. The Panthers wanted to keep their starting offensive lineman but faced stiff competition from other teams in his status among top-free agent centers. Instead, they brought in Luke Fortner as a more affordable replacement. Earlier reports suggested the Panthers might regret not matching the offer, especially after relying on Mays for his physical presence up front. The recent analysis flips that narrative, showing Detroit may have overpay for a player who's not yet a consistent top performer. According to Pro Football Focus, Mays shines in past protection with a 67.6 grade that ranked 12th among centers last year. Fans and analysts in Carolina appreciated his run-blocking style, but the data reveals he struggled there, making him more of a liability than a... Strength The Lions handed him the ninth-highest average annual value at the position, betting on untapped potential despite his uneven starts with the Panthers.

1:03Meanwhile, Fortner came at a fraction of the cost, giving Carolina flexibility under their new general manager, Dan Morgan. Letting Mays walk looks like a savvy non-move now, saving cap space without sacrificing too much on the line. Stay informed with Durham News Today, AI-powered updates on Corey with the story.