We’re counting down the days until the Panthers kick off the 2024 season.
We’re officially 81 days away from the Carolina Panthers kicking off the 2024 NFL season against the New Orleans Saints. It will be their second consecutive road opener. Now it’s time for our annual roster countdown to highlight the players on the Panthers’ roster. Today, we’re taking a closer look at No. 81 — tight end Jordan Matthews.
Way back in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles spent a second round pick (42nd overall) on the then-wide receiver out of Vanderbilt. Matthews spent his first three seasons in Philly as a solid receiver before being traded to the Buffalo Bills before his fourth season. His production dropped off precipitously in Buffalo, and his contract was not extended. As a free agent, he returned to the Eagles for the 2018 season, where his production was still not at the level of the former second round pick’s potential. In 2019, despite being traded to the San Francisco 49ers mid season, Matthews only played in three games between Philly and San Fran. He spent the next two seasons in San Francisco, only playing in three games combined. After being out of the league in 2022, the Panthers signed Matthews to the practice squad last season. He was now listed as a tight end and was only active for a single game all season, when all 19 of his snaps that day were on special teams.
It has been a long, disappointing career so far for Matthews by some standards, but he has managed a career pushing double digits in duration. It’s difficult to make it to the NFL and even harder to stay for as long as he has. Unfortunately, I don’t see Matthews being a major difference maker on this team, if he even makes the final roster at all. He’s a great guy to have in the tight end room full of younger, more talented players, but aside from his veteran presence I don’t see how much he adds to the roster.
What do you expect to see from Jordan Matthews this year, Panthers fans? Scroll on down to the comments and share your thoughts with us!