There will be a very different look to the Carolina Panthers secondary during the 2019 NFL season.
On Monday, the Panthers announced they released cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, who had two years remaining on his contract. Also, safety Mike Adams announced via Instagram that the Panthers will not be re-signing him.
Both moves signal that Carolina is ready to shift towards a younger defense. The Panthers were one of the oldest teams in the NFL this year.
Carolina has also moved on from longtime linebacker Thomas Davis and defensive end Julius Peppers, who retired this offseason.
Munnerlyn, 30, was drafted by Carolina in 2009 in the seventh round. He spent five seasons with the Panthers before signing with the Minnesota Vikings in 2013, where he spent three seasons.
Munnerlyn re-signed with Carolina in 2017 and totaled 62 tackles, four sacks and an interception the last two years. He played primarily nickel in that span.
Munnerlyn ranks first all-time in franchise history with five career interception returns for touchdowns and second among Panthers defensive backs with 9.5 sacks.
Cutting Munnerlyn will not be designated as a post-June 1 cut and Carolina will save $2 million against the salary cap in 2019, and $4 million against the cap in 2020. However, it will cost the Panthers $3 million in dead cap this season and $1.5 million in 2020.
Adams, 38, was signed by Carolina in 2017 and played in 94.7 percent of the Panthers defensive snaps this season.
Similar to the decision Carolina made with Davis, Adams was a free agent and the Panthers are opting not to renew his contract.
During an interview at Super LIII, Adams sat down with The Mac Attack and said he'd like to play one more season.
Second-year safety Rashaan Gaulden could be one of the key players to step up in a big role and it remains to be seen how Carolina will fill in the remainder of its defense.
The Panthers hold the 16th pick in the draft and were recently awarded a third-round compensatory pick.