Panthers release longtime kicker Graham Gano, reports say

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Panthers have decided to keep Joey Slye as their kicker and release veteran Graham Gano, who missed all of last season with a knee injury.

Gano joined the Panthers in 2012. He connected on many game-winning field goals, including a 63-yarder in 2018 against the New York Giants. The kick tied for the longest game-winning field goal in NFL history.

Gano’s eight years with the Panthers included four playoff appearances and a Super Bowl run.

The Panthers have released kicker Graham Gano, per source. Veteran kicker has made 224-of-273 kicks since 2019, was due $2.75M salary.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 30, 2020

But Gano sustained a knee injury last offseason and was placed on injured reserve, opening the door for Slye, who was 25 of 32 on field goals, including 8 of 11 from beyond 50 yards in 16 games last season.

Gano wast set to cost $4.3 million under this year’s salary cap while Slye will make $675,000.

Gano’s wife, Brittany, reflected on their time in Charlotte in an Instagram post.

“This is not the easiest thing to post but we know that all good things eventually have to come to an end,” she said. “When God closes one door, He opens another.”

View this post on Instagram

Almost 8 years ago I drove from Ashburn, Virginia down to Charlotte, North Carolina with our one-year-old son to meet Graham on his new journey to become a Carolina Panther. Little did we know the journey that God was about to put us on. Looking back on our years with the Panthers only puts a smile on my face. We have had so many amazing memories from going to the Super Bowl, a Pro bowl, amazing friendships, game-winning field goals and so many more. On top of all that we have had four more beautiful children whom have all grown up Panthers fans. This is not the easiest thing to post but we know that all good things eventually have to come to an end, and when God closes one door, He opens another. Graham, I love you so much and I am so incredibly proud of you and the success you have had with this amazing organization. This is just the beginning to a new amazing adventure. To all the fans, friends, and our family, I just want to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for all your love, prayers and support. God Bless. 💙 we love you #9 #ganologano

A post shared by @ britgano9 on Jul 30, 2020 at 7:52am PDT

“To all the fans, friends, and our family, I just want to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for all your love, prayers and support. God Bless. We love you.”

The Panthers have not yet released an official statement on the move.