After family member’s COVID-19 scare, Panthers’ Christian Miller opts out of NFL season
Carolina Panthers edge rusher Christian Miller has elected to opt out of the 2020 NFL season.
After not seeing much playing time in his rookie season last year as an outside linebacker, Miller, 24, had an opportunity to start over during this year’s training camp with a new coaching staff and revamped roster. He would have provided depth for the Panthers on the outside as they transition back to a 4-3 base defense from last year’s 3-4, but was not a lock to make the final roster.
Miller, a fourth-round pick in 2019 out of Alabama, is considered a high-risk opt out and will earn $350,000 this season. His contract will be paused and all provisions that would have applied in 2020 will be applicable to 2021. Unlike the voluntary opt outs, the stipend for high-risk players is not considered a salary advance.
“After a lot of thought and prayer, I have decided to high-risk opt out. This was an emotional and extremely tough decision for me but one that I ultimately feel is the right and safest decision for me and my family,” Miller said in a statement. “I am proud to be a Panther, and I am genuinely excited about the direction we are going under Coach Rhule and his staff. I wish the entire organization nothing but the best for 2020, and I can’t wait to rejoin them again in 2021.”
Miller, a Columbia, S.C., native, played in just seven games last year. He injured his ankle midway through the season and saw little playing time over the second half of the year. He finished his rookie season with three tackles and two sacks. Both of his sacks came against the Cardinals in Week 3.
“Anybody that goes through the opt-out process puts a lot of thought in it and we respect everybody’s decision. Everybody has their own set of circumstances and has to make the best decision for them and their families. That’s number one,” Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said Monday. “These are different times, and we totally understand that if player wants to opt out. We totally respect that decision ... the safety of everybody in this building, and the safety of their families come first to us.”
Corey Miller, Christian’s father and former NFL linebacker, told the Observer in a phone interview that his son was eager to play. Miller was excited about the upcoming season, his father said. But the uncertainty of COVID-19 and how the NFL would handle that played a part in his son’s decision to opt out.
“I know the Panthers have done an outstanding job of prepping the facilities,” the elder Miller said. “But it’s not what they are doing. You’re still going to have to worry if every player is going to do the right thing when they leave there.
“I support him, and his mom and his brother do as well.”
Corey Miller said he recently had a close family member test positive for COVID-19 who had to spend time in the hospital. At the time, they weren’t sure if that family member was going to survive.
She recovered and is now healthy, Corey Miller said. But the elder Miller can’t help but wonder whether that also played a factor in his son’s decision.
“It’s a scary situation,” his father said. “Knowing that it’s real, I don’t know that it played a part, but when you see somebody who has dealt with it, it makes you think about it.”
More than 40 players across the league have elected to opt out of the season due to concerns related to COVID-19. Miller is the second Panther to opt out of the season due to concerns related to COVID-19. Undrafted free agent linebacker Jordan Mack was the first Panther to make that decision last week, voluntarily opting out.
In order to be designated as a higher-risk opt out, a player must have a diagnosis reflected in their medical records of at least one of a variety of factors. Some of those include serious heart conditions, sickle cell disease, Type-2 diabetes mellitus, asthma, cerebrovascular disease, cystic fibrosis, hypertension or high blood pressure or immune deficiencies.
Corey Miller did not disclose his son’s diagnosis.
Miller battled injuries during his time at Alabama as well. He missed 10 games in 2017 due to an arm injury, and a hamstring injury sustained while pressuring former Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray in the 2018 College Football Playoff semifinal forced him to miss the national title game. He finished his senior season with 34 tackles and eight sacks.
His absence from the 2020 training camp will provide more opportunities for players like Marquis Haynes and the many undrafted rookies that the Panthers have brought in on defense to try and earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
Jonathan Alexander contributed reporting for this story.
This story was originally published August 3, 2020 at 10:42 AM.
