After (most of) four seasons with the Carolina Panthers, free agent wide receiver Damiere Byrd has signed a one year deal with the Arizona Cardinals.
This is in no way a surprising or needle moving event with regards to the Panthers. While often the source of highlight plays and post game quotes when he was actually on the field, he was never able to make a consistent impact. Ultimately, Byrd’s role as a speedy, versatile, and often injured wide receiver has been usurped over the past two years by the younger, faster, more versatile, and more often injured Curtis Samuel.
Panthers fans will never forget head coach Ron Rivera arguing with the refs, successfully, that Byrd was in bounds on a game winning touchdown due to his having a “narrow ass.” That butt drag swag, as Cam called it, was one of the highlight moments of an otherwise forgettable 2017 season.
Of interest, Byrd is one of the few edge-of-the-roster free agents from Rivera’s tenure to gain traction with another team not currently helmed by a former assistant. Stay tuned as we investigate the legality of teams exploring new talent and instead of recycling old names. In the meantime, look for the Panthers to consider signing Brenton Bersin to round out their wide receiver room for the summer.