The Carolina Panthers are still looking for loose change.
As announced by the team on Wednesday, just minutes after the official start of the new league year, the contract of punter Johnny Hekker has been restructured. The move will clear up approximately $800,000 in additional salary cap space this offseason.
Hekker joined the Panthers last spring—on a three-year, $7.62 million agreement. And the first season of that deal went awfully well—as the 33-year-old booted a league-leading and franchise record 39 punts inside the 20-yard line while averaging the third-most net yards per attempt (44.1).
Unfortunately for the four-time First-team All-Pro, two-time Second-team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler—he did not add another all-star nod to his decorated résumé. He was, however, named to the 2022 Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-NFC team and—along with long snapper and fellow special teamer JJ Jansen—finished second amongst all punters in the first-ever Players’ All-Pro Team balloting.
