Breaking: Panthers GM Announces Departure of Chandler Wooten and Caleb Farley
In a surprising move, the Carolina Panthers have officially announced the departure of two significant players from their roster: linebacker Chandler Wooten and cornerback Caleb Farley. The news was confirmed by the team’s general manager, who addressed the media on Monday, signaling another shift in the team’s evolving strategy heading into the 2024 NFL season.
General Manager Dan Morgan, who recently took over personnel operations, stated that the decision was difficult but ultimately necessary as the Panthers look to reshape their roster with a younger core and build for long-term success. Both Wooten and Farley were considered valuable contributors, but with injuries, cap considerations, and competition for roster spots heating up, the front office made the call to move in a different direction.
Chandler Wooten, a promising young linebacker, initially joined the team as an undrafted free agent and steadily climbed the depth chart with his strong work ethic and special teams play. Over the past two seasons, Wooten became a reliable rotational piece for the Panthers’ defense. He was praised for his football IQ, hustle, and ability to step in during key moments. While he didn’t always start, Wooten’s presence in the locker room and on special teams did not go unnoticed.
“Chandler is a true professional,” said Morgan. “He’s someone you want in your building. He brought great energy, leadership, and work ethic. We just felt that with our current direction and depth at the linebacker position, it was the right time to make this move.”
Caleb Farley, on the other hand, was a former first-round pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2021 and joined the Panthers more recently in hopes of reviving his career. Once considered a high-upside corner with elite athleticism and coverage potential, Farley’s career has been unfortunately marred by a string of injuries, including multiple back surgeries. Despite flashes of his talent, he struggled to stay healthy and maintain consistent playing time.
During his stint with Carolina, Farley worked hard to get back into form, and the coaching staff praised his determination and attitude. However, availability proved to be the deciding factor in the end.
“Caleb has fought through a lot of adversity,” Morgan said. “We admire his perseverance and thank him for everything he gave us. Unfortunately, we have to make tough decisions in this business, and this was one of them.”
The Panthers are clearly in a transitional phase, with an emphasis on rebuilding around a young core, especially on the defensive side of the ball. These recent roster changes reflect the team’s desire to get younger, healthier, and more competitive as they move forward under new leadership.
As for Wooten and Farley, both players will now look for new opportunities across the league. Given their talent and experience, it wouldn’t be surprising to see either of them land with a new team soon.
With these departures, the Panthers will now look to younger players and recent draft picks to step up and fill the void left behind.
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