Jason Avant has been released by the Panthers. (Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports)
Wide receiver Jason Avant questioned the Carolina Panthers’ play-calling after their 19-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday and two days later he’s looking for a new employer.
Avant’s agent, Doug Hendrickson, indicated Tuesday on Twitter that his client was no longer with the team and Fox Sports confirmed that Avant was released.
Avant opined after Sunday’s game that the Panthers were too conservative in the final minutes while playing for a potential winning field goal attempt that was missed by Graham Gano.
“I’ve been in the league a long time. I know two things. You never want to give a team a chance to win a game, with how much time was left on the clock,” Avant said. “And asking a kicker to make a 50-yard field goal with the game on the line is rough sledding.
“If that’s the only option, yes. But if it’s not, you want to get as close as you can and think score and play to score a touchdown. Because I’d rather the team have to score a touchdown to win the game than to have to kick a field goal. It’s just a lot different. It’s a 30-yard difference.”
The 31-year-old Avant played in 11 games for the Panthers this season and had 21 receptions for 201 yards and one touchdown.
He spent his first eight years in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and has 318 career catches for 3,847 yards and 13 touchdowns.
