The Carolina Panthers cut ties with their All-Time Leading Rusher and Former Oregon Duck Jonathan Stewart on Wednesday.
In the 2018 World of the National Football League, Cap Space is considered the Premium and the Carolina Panthers have parted ways with three players in the last week including former Oregon Football Running Back Jonathan Stewart.
Jonathan Stewart was a constant in the Carolina backfield for a decade. He is the Carolina Panthers All-Time Leading Rusher. He is now 30 years old and will likely be replaced by Christian McCaffrey.
In the last week, the Carolina Panthers have cleared over $30 Million in Cap Space, opening the door to sign a key free agent or two. Stewart had a season of decline in 2017.
According to ESPN, Stewart ranked 32nd of the 34 Running Backs in the League. Carolina also had one of the top Offensive Lines in the League last season.
Stewart has been a durable player for Carolina. He has had his share of injuries but racked up over 7300 yards on the ground in his ten-year career with the Panthers. Jonathan Stewart was selected in the NFL Draft in 2008.
While Jonathan Stewart put in the work, he has not been a 1000 yard Running Back since his second season with Carolina in 2009. It is not known if the former Oregon Player will look to join another team, likely as a backup, or retire from the NFL after ten seasons.
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Running Back is a position that typically sees a decline in production in latter years. Stewart is one of a handful of Oregon Players to be with one team for ten seasons, a rarity in a League with Free Agency and Trades and teams wanting to win ‘now’.