Panthers.com
The Panthers continued to make moves Monday aimed at getting faster and younger in the secondary, releasing nickel cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and informing pending free agent safety Mike Adams that he won’t be re-signed by the team.
Munnerlyn, a veteran of 10 NFL seasons, had two years remaining on the four-year contract he signed prior to the 2017 season. Adams, who has played 15 NFL seasons, signed a two-year contract with the Panthers in 2017 that is set to expire when the new league year begins March 13.
The moves will clear the way for Carolina, which re-signed safety Eric Reid two weeks ago, to get more opportunities for recent draft picks Rashaan Gaulden and Corn Elder.
Gaulden was a third-round draft choice in 2018 who played some safety but was used primarily on special teams as a rookie. Gaulden also has the ability to play nickel. Elder, a fifth-round pick in 2017, saw some action at nickel last season.
Munnerlyn played primarily nickel for the Panthers each of the past two seasons, playing in every game with five starts in 2018. He recorded 47 tackles based on press box stats this past season with one interception, nine passes defensed and two sacks. Selected in the seventh round of the 2009 draft by Carolina, Munnerlyn spent his first five seasons with the Panthers before playing three seasons for the Vikings.
The release of Munnerlyn does not have a post-June 1 designation.
Adams started every game at safety in each of his two years with the Panthers. In 2018, he recorded 75 tackles, three interceptions and six passes defensed.