Panthers Release Thomas DeCoud

Veteran safety Thomas DeCoud has been released by an NFC South club for the second consecutive offseason. Less than a year after being cut by the Falcons, DeCoud has been let go by the Panthers, the team announced today in a press release. Within the same release, Carolina also confirmed its previously-reported one-year deal with offensive lineman Chris Scott.

DeCoud, who turns 30 next month, started 11 of 15 games for the Panthers in 2014, after having started all but one game he played in during the previous five seasons in Atlanta. The former third-round pick totaled 50 tackles and three passes defended to go along with an interception last season, and ranked 74th out of 87 qualified safeties, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades (subscription required).

The Panthers signed DeCoud to a two-year contract back in April that was worth a base value of $3.525MM, including a $500K signing bonus. Half of that bonus will remain on the team’s 2015 cap, counting for $250K in dead money, but Carolina still creates close to $2MM in cap savings by parting ways with the safety.

As for DeCoud, as a seven-year veteran, he won’t have to clear waivers, and is immediately free to sign with another team.

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