The Carolina Panthers are in a bit of a pickle as they have the worst record in the National Football League but will not get the top pick as they traded their 2024 first-round pick to the Chicago Bears to draft quarterback Bryce Young last season. However, with the season going down the tube, the Carolina Panthers have officially decided to release four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Justin Houston but he still wants to play this year for a contender.
Panthers are releasing four-time Pro-Bowl LB Justin Houston, per source. Houston wants to play again this season, but only for a contender. pic.twitter.com/tnGoWxjGAY
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 19, 2023
This is a major free agent with only three weeks remaining in the NFL regular season. Justin Houston did not play too well throughout the season for the Carolina Panthers as he finishes his tenure with nine total tackles (five solo, four assist) and 0.5 sacks and a pass deflection in seven games.
Houston has been on Injured Reserve for six weeks now as he is dealing with a hamstring injury. However, with him wanting to play this season for a contender, it will be interesting to see if any team picks him up in the waiver wire.
Where should the former Carolina Panthers linebacker go to finish the season?
The definition of a contender is a bit of a shaky one as there are not many teams that can currently win the Super Bowl. However, a playoff contender is a different story as there are only six teams, including the Carolina Panthers, that are eliminated from playoff contention.
One team that immediately jumps to mind would be the Philadelphia Eagles as their back seven on defense has been bad at best. They already signed linebacker Shaq Leonard earlier this season as a free agent so they have been trying to fix their issues. However, they need more than just one defensive player to play to the back of their playing card if they want to be legitimate contenders.
Another interesting place he can land would be the Detroit Lions. With a team ready to make a run in the NFC, they do not have a lot of experience in the postseason and adding a veteran leader like Justin Houston could be a great sign for the franchise that they are all in on the 2023 season to hoist a Lombardi Trophy.
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