Panthers Waive Goodbye To Beuerlein
Quarterback Steve Beuerlein, one of Carolina's most popular and durable players, was waived by Carolina on Monday, a move that saves the Panthers about $2 million.
"Steve has done everything we have asked of him and has played well under some unfavorable circumstances," coach George Seifert said. "There have been a number of extremely tough moves this offseason as we look to the future, but none more so than this."
Earlier this month, Seifert released cornerback Eric Davis, fullback William Floyd and linebacker Lee Woodall all of whom played on a Super Bowl winner under Seifert in San Francisco.
Seifert had recently informed Beuerlein, who has started 44 straight games for the Panthers, that he was actively trying to trade him.
The decision was not popular in Carolina, where the 36-year-old journeyman had endeared himself to fans while having the best years of his career.
Beuerlein, who has started 44 straight games for Carolina, passed for an NFL-best 4,436 yards and 36 touchdowns in 1999 and made the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.
His numbers were down last season he passed for 3,730 yards and 19 touchdowns but he played behind an offensive line that allowed a league-high 60 sacks.
Since then, Carolina has shifted into a rebuilding mode. That's meant dumping high salaries, including Beuerlein's.
His contract runs through 2005 and he was set to count $4.985 million against the cap this year He was also due a $1.2 million roster bonus if he was still with the team on April 1.
The Panthers could also be questioning Beuerlein's durability. He's never missed a game since taking over after Kerry Collins quit the team four games into the 1999 season, but has had eight operations in the past 14 months.
The remaining quarterbacks on the roster are Jeff Lewis, Daymeune Craig and Matt Lytle.
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