Bashaud Breeland back on Free Agent market after failing physical with Panthers

Just days ago, Bashaud Breeland was one of the top cornerbacks on the NFL free agent market. He agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract with the Carolina Panthers after drawing significant interest from several NFL teams, including (reportedly) the Green Bay Packers.

Unfortunately for Breeland, he has failed his physical with the Panthers, voiding his contract and sending him back to the free agent market. To make matters worse, the issue that caused the failed physical will keep him from passing a physical for months, according to Ian Rapoport.

The injury itself sounds like a gruesome one. ESPN’s David Newton reports that the injury is a cut on Breeland’s foot that will require a skin graft, and that it is a recurrence of something that happened in his youth.

For now, Breeland will likely remain a free agent until such time as he can pass a physical. If he is fully recovered by sometime in August, it is entirely possible that some NFL team will be able to get a bargain at cornerback just before or during training camp; however, it is difficult to imagine Breeland getting a similar amount of money to the contract the Panthers offered him, which included a reported $10.4 million in guaranteed money.

The Packers are not directly affected by this situation, but it does likely mean that the Panthers will be looking for cornerback help once again, which would further increase demand for the remaining free agent corners.