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Panthers analysis: Could Carolina’s most realistic free agent deal be for a kicker? | Charlotte Observer

In 2016, things seemed to be going from bad to worse for Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano.

He missed eight field goals, a career-high with the Panthers, while dealing with a broken in his foot. After the season, the Panthers drafted their first kicker in franchise history, Harrison Butker, with the intent of making training camp a heated kicking competition.

It worked.

Gano earned his starting role and Butker ultimately was signed off the practice squad by Kansas City, and he became the Chiefs’ full-time kicker. Gano was nearly perfect in 2017, missing only one field goal in the regular season and three extra points.