In a surprising move, the Carolina Panthers have released former No. 1 overall pick, sparking immediate speculation about potential landing spots—most notably the San Francisco 49ers. The decision marks a significant shift for the Panthers as they continue to reshape their roster under new leadership, while teams like the 49ers may be eyeing this as an unexpected opportunity.
While the player’s name hasn’t been officially confirmed at the time of writing, all signs point toward a veteran with high upside who could add immediate depth and experience to a contender’s roster. The former top pick, despite not living up to the lofty expectations in Carolina, has shown flashes of talent and could benefit from a fresh start with a team like San Francisco.
The 49ers are coming off another strong season but still have areas where depth and experience could make a difference, particularly on the offensive line and defensive front. With their Super Bowl window still wide open, adding a seasoned player with something to prove could be a low-risk, high-reward move.
General Manager John Lynch has shown a willingness to take chances on former high draft picks in the past—players like Arden Key and Charles Omenihu come to mind—and he could view this release as another opportunity to bolster the roster without sacrificing much cap flexibility.
Expect the 49ers to at least explore the possibility of bringing the former top pick into training camp as they chase another title run.
