Ihmir Smith-Marsette is about to be joined on the open market by a familiar face.
According to Joseph Person of The Athletic, the Carolina Panthers will not tender tight end Giovanni Ricci—who is set to enter free agency next week. Person also confirmed an earlier report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who noted that Smith-Marsette will not be tendered by the team as well.
Ricci and Smith-Marsette entered the 2024 offseason as restricted free agents, which gave the Panthers a bit of control in terms of their next deal. But today’s reported decisions make both players unrestricted free agents, giving them the right to sign away to another team without having to wait for Carolina to potentially match any offers.
Originally a fullback, Ricci entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Panthers in 2020. The Western Michigan product eventually transitioned to tight end, where he’s amassed nine receptions for 102 yards over the last two seasons.
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