The Carolina Panthers plan to allow Eddy Pineiro, the third-most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history, to test the free agent market, general manager Dan Morgan said Tuesday.
Pineiro is set to become an unrestricted free agent next month.
The 29-year-old Pineiro has made 88.1% of his career field goal attempts since joining the NFL, which ranks behind Baltimore’s Justin Tucker (89.1%) and Kansas City’s Harrison Butker (88.6%) on the all-time list. Pineiro joined the Panthers in 2022 after spending time with the New York Jets and Chicago Bears; he has made 80 of 90 field goals in that three-year span, including 8 of 11 from beyond 50 yards.
“His agents can be here and see what his value is,” Morgan said at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. “We definitely aren’t going to close the door on (his return), but at the same time we will be actively looking” for a replacement.
The Panthers announced Monday they have informed longtime linebacker and soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Shaq Thompson that they will not re-sign him.
Morgan said Tuesday that along with Pineiro, the team will allow tight end Tommy Tremble and safety Xavier Woods to test the free agent market as well, although he would not rule out re-signing them at a later date at the right price.
Morgan called tight end a position that needs to be addressed.
He said the Panthers are continuing to work on a contract extension with cornerback Jaycee Horn, one of the team's top defensive players. Carolina may look to restructure the contract of offensive tackle Taylor Moton as well.
Rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette had a foot procedure after the season but is expected to be back to full heath soon, according to Morgan. Also, linebacker Trevin Wallace had shoulder surgery but already is out of his sling and on the road to recovery.
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Steve Reed, The Associated Press
