Muhsin Muhammad Is Going Back to the Panthers. David Carr Isn't.
The Carolina Panthers released disappointing quarterback David Carr on Wednesday and came to terms with receiver Muhsin Muhammad on a two-year contract.
Carr was let go a year after he signed a $6 million, two-year deal with the Panthers following a five-year stint as a starter in Houston. But Carr struggled so badly when he took over for the injured Jake Delhomme last season that he was eventually demoted to third-string.
Carr leaves Carolina as Muhammad prepares for his second stint with the franchise. Muhammad was expected to sign his contract later Wednesday, a week after he was released by the Chicago Bears.
Muhammad was the Panthers’ second-round pick in 1996 and spent nine seasons with Carolina before being released in a salary-cap move. The Panthers struggled to replace him, leaving star receiver Steve Smith to face constant double-teams over the past few seasons.
It’s unclear what role Muhammad will have in his return to Carolina. He turns 35 in May and he was held to 40 catches with the Bears last season. But Muhammad remains one of the league’s top blocking receivers and he is close friends with Smith.
Carr’s release is no surprise. He was thought to be a significant upgrade over Chris Weinke as Carolina’s No. 2 QB. But Carr had a disastrous season after he took over as the starter in Week 3, when Delhomme suffered a season-ending right elbow injury.
Looking tentative in the pocket, Carr lacked accuracy and then was sidelined with a back injury and two concussions. But even when Carr got healthy again, the Panthers used 44-year-old Vinny Testaverde and undrafted rookie Matt Moore ahead of him.
Carr finished with three touchdown passes, five interceptions and a passer rating of 58.3. Releasing him clears more than $2 million in salary-cap space.
“He did everything we asked, but unfortunately it didn’t work out like anyone had hoped or expected,” general manager Marty Hurney said. “David is an excellent person and we wish him the best.”
Moore and Brett Basanez, who missed all of last season with a wrist injury, are expected to contend for the backup job next season.
Muhammad is expected to catch passes from Delhomme, who is working his way back from reconstructive surgery. Delhomme’s top two targets were Smith and Muhammad during Carolina’s only trip to the Super Bowl in the 2003 season.
Muhammad, who maintained a home and business interests in Charlotte after his release three years ago, holds the team record for catches (578) and yards receiving (7,751) and touchdown catches (44).
His 102 receptions in the 2000 season were a team record until Smith had 103 in 2005.
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