Panthers Inexplicably Cut Bene' Benwikere in Effort to Make a Bad Secondary Worse

In the biggest WTF moment since Josh Norman's release, the Panthers inexplicably cut their #1 corner Bene' Benwikere. Julio Jones torched Benwikere last week, racking up 225 of his 300 yards against the third year player. It was ugly and Benwikere accepted responsibility, citing fatigue as a big part of why Julio got behind him so often. It really isn't surprising, however, that Jones abused Benewikere in man-coverage. It would have happened even if Benwikere was in the best possible situation. What is unfathomable is cutting the most experienced corner on your team, aside from perennial backup Robert McClain, only to replace him with rookie Zack Sanchez, who wasn't good enough to make the 53-man roster four weeks ago.

It's not appalling releasing a guy who struggled to the tune of 225 yards in secondary that wasn't very good to start. It is appalling when he is probably the best of that group, only to trot out Robert McClain, Zach Sanchez, and Daryl Worley. Oh not to mention, rookie James Bradberry is watching from the sidelinIes with turf toe.

Rivera says Sanchez will play outside and McClain will line up at nickel. #PanthersBlitz
— Jon Stout (@JonStout89) October 7, 2016

Ron Rivera stated that releasing Benewikere was a move to get younger. Benwikere, who is still on his rookie contract, is only 25 years old. Rivera's explanation is fishy. Now that Joe Person reporting that Sanchez will be playing on the outside with McClain on the outside, likely with Worley, this move seems disastrous. If you can find any logic Benwikere's release, please let us know. Right now, outside of Bene' being a suspected terrorist, this is unexplainable. Here are a few tweets regarding the strange circumstances of Benewikere's departure.

Bene Benwikere's agent Bardia Ghahremani says he was shocked when his client was cut. "Just weird."
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) October 7, 2016

As bad as Benwikere played last wk, teams don't cut guys on Friday. Especially when one of the starting CBs is out w/ turf toe.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) October 7, 2016

Did more digging. Still sounds like Bene decision was performance-based. No smoking gun. Late in week b/c they struggled to pull trigger.
— Black & Blue Review (@BlackBlueReview) October 7, 2016

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