CJ Henderson wasn’t as fortunate as his teammate was on Monday.
In an expected move, the Carolina Panthers declined the fifth-year option on Henderson. The 24-year-old cornerback is now set to become a free agent following the upcoming 2023 campaign.
Henderson was drafted with the ninth overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The University of Florida Gator never gained traction coming out of nearby Gainesville, playing in just 10 games for the Jags.
On Sept. 27, 2021, just two weeks into the second season of his pro career, Henderson (along with a 2022 fifth-round selection) was traded to the Panthers in exchange for tight end Dan Arnold and a 2022 third-rounder. Former head coach Matt Rhule, who pulled the trigger on the deal at the time, stated the surprising swap was “an opportunity that came open.”
Unfortunately for Henderson, he has not opened up much in Carolina either. He’s started in 15 of 27 games for the team, having yet to grow into the slick investment the front office believed they made two seasons ago.
