A former Tennessee Vols offensive lineman is in line to receive a nice free agent contract this offseason.
NFL executives, via ESPN, pointed out former Vols offensive lineman Cade Mays as one of the top “sleeper free agents” ahead of the start of free agency.
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“Some teams anticipate he could make $8 million per year on a new deal,” noted ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano of Mays.
Mays, who started his college career with the Georgia Bulldogs before transferring to Tennessee, was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
The former Vol spent the first two seasons of his career with the Panthers before getting released just before the start of the 2024 season. Mays briefly signed with the New York Giants before returning to Carolina in the middle of the 2024 season.
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Mays started 12 games at center for the Panthers in 2025.
Are the Panthers planning to keep Cade Mays?
A return to Carolina would make a lot of sense for Mays. For starters, Charlotte is just 3.5 hours from Mays’ hometown of Knoxville.
Secondly, Mays is obviously a good fit in the Panthers’ offense, and offensive line continuity is important — especially at the center position. Bringing Mays back seems like a no-brainer for Carolina.
The Athletic’s Joe Person, however, noted this week that Carolina is expected to let their free agents test the market. Person also noted that Mays is a player the Panthers would like to keep.
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“The Panthers also currently have a vacancy at center, with both Cade Mays and Austin Corbett hitting free agency,” wrote Person. “Corbett is not expected back, and Morgan said the Panthers will let all of their free agents test the market before deciding whether to re-sign those they’re interested in retaining. Mays is someone the Panthers want to keep, but they could bow out of the bidding depending on what the Detroit Lions or another interested team is willing to spend on a 6-6, 325-pound center.”
Several teams are expected to be in the mix for a center this offseason. A team like the Tennessee Titans, who are even closer to Knoxville than the Panthers, could make sense for Mays.
Regardless of where Mays lands this offseason, he should end up securing a lucrative free agent contract.
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This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Mar 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Nashville section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.