The Carolina Panthers cut longtime starting quarterback Jake Delhomme late Thursday, just over one year after they gave him a five-year, $42.5 million contract extension, only to watch him have his worst NFL season.
Delhomme's agent, Rick Smith, confirmed the move and said the quarterback would wait until Friday to address reporters. It signals that the Panthers intend to go with Matt Moore or someone new at quarterback for the first time since Delhomme burst onto the scene in 2003 and led the team to the Super Bowl.
The Panthers also released veteran defensive tackle Damione Lewis on Thursday in a move that sheds another $5 million in payroll after the decision not to place the franchise tag on defensive end Julius Peppers.