Carolina Panthers

Bene Benwikere: Why Was He Released in Carolina

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

In a surprising move, the Carolina Panthers released corner back Bene Benwikere on Friday…

Third-year corner Bene Benwikere, when not hampered by injury, was a consistent performer at the nickel position since joining the Carolina Panthers in 2014. Recovering from a fractured leg suffered last December, Benwikere was off to a slow start this season. Last Sunday, after being moved from nickel to outside corner back due to rookie James Bradberry’s toe injury, Benwikere faced Atlanta wide receiver Julio Jones.

A difficult task for even veteran players, Jones took advantage of the mismatch and situations where he was left in one-on-one coverage. On his way to 300-yards receiving and one touchdown, Benwikere surrendered the majority of Jones’ yards.

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs for a touchdown against Carolina Panthers cornerback Bene’ Benwikere (25) in the fourth quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 48-33. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Head coach Ron Rivera didn’t offer much explanation for the release. “We decided to move on,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said at his Friday news conference. “We have a group of young guys and we want to see them play.”

Fifth-round selection Zack Sanchez has been promoted from the practice squad to fill the vacated role.

According to Bill Voth of Black and Blue Review, veteran linebacker Thomas Davis had the following to say regarding Benwikere’s release. “I don’t think they made a move like that just based on one game. I think it was a decision they made that they felt would be best for the team moving forward.”

However, the reasons being given do not add up.

Rivera wants to “retool the secondary” and is working to put young guys on the field. Benwikere was in his third season and just turned 25 last month. The move to put a nickel corner on the outside backfired in Atlanta, but the Panthers are doing the exact same with Sanchez.

Moving forward, rookie corner James Bradberry will not be playing on Monday night. It appears the Panthers are prepared to operate with rookies Sanchez and Daryl Worley on the outside, with Robert McClain taking over the nickel position.