One surprise cut candidate from each NFL team in 2022
By Randy Gurzi
Seattle Seahawks: Chris Carson, RB
Chris Carson had a run in 2018 and 2019 where he was one of the top backs in the NFL. However, he’s coming off an injury-plagued season where he had just 232 yards. On top of that. Rashaad Penny finally broke out in 2021 and then got a one-year deal worth $5.7 million to return in 2022.
The Seattle Seahawks also added Kenneth Walker II in the NFL Draft, which means Carson suddenly has a lot of competition around him. Unless he proves he’s back to his 2018-2019 form, Seattle could cut ties and save $4 million in the process.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Keanu Neal, S
There was once a time when Keanu Neal was one of the best safeties in the NFL. Sure, he didn’t offer much as a ball hawk but he was still a guy who could play in the box and punish the ball carrier.
Last season, he even moved to a linebacker role permanently in Dallas — where he re-joined Dan Quinn who was his head coach in Atlanta. Quinn felt Neal was best suited as a linebacker and no coach in the NFL knows his game better than Quinn.
This year, Neal moved back to safety and signed a minimal deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His contract isn’t much but the Bucs might not be willing to hold a spot for him when they are already deep at safety with Logan Ryan, Antoine Winfield, and Mike Edwards. In the end, Neal’s coverage woes could cost him.