After one game, the Carolina Panthers decided to move on from placekicker Ryan Santoso, according to multiple reports.
Santoso converted both field goals but only 1-of-2 extra points in Carolina’s 19-14 win over the New York Jets in Week 1. Apparently, that wasn’t enough for the Panthers to think the former Minnesota Golden Gopher was worth keeping around at the cost of a seventh-round pick.
Carolina originally acquired Santoso from the New York Giants for a conditional seventh-rounder at the end of training camp. If Santoso was on the Panthers’ roster for two games, the Giants would get an extra pick in the final round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Because Carolina cut Santoso today, they’ll keep that seventh-round selection instead.
The Panthers have cut K Ryan Santoso, per source. They’ll keep the seventh-round pick that they had traded conditionally to Giants.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) September 14, 2021
Panthers.com’s Darin Gantt says veteran Zane Gonzalez will replace Santoso. Gonzalez was signed off the Detroit Lions’ practice squad and had previously been in camp with Carolina this summer.
Gonzalez spent the last two-plus seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, where he made 54-of-66 field goals and 77-of-80 extra points.
The Panthers made a change at kicker Tuesday. Ryan Santoso’s out, Zane Gonzalez is in. https://t.co/vGUkdtgZIS
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) September 14, 2021
Gonzalez will make his Panthers’ debut this Sunday against the New Orleans Saints in a battle between 1-0 teams in the NFC South.
The post NFL Kicker Released Following His Week 1 Performance appeared first on The Spun.
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