While the Carolina Panthers did a decent job in getting sacks last season, their need for a defensive tackle is a big one. Now that the New York Giants have released Chris Canty, their lack-of-cap-space issues might help them land the recently released defensive lineman.

Being from Charlotte, spending there most of his time while growing up, Canty, who won the Super Bowl with the Giants after the 2011 season, said he was willing to give the Panthers a hometown discount.

I got a text from Thomas Davis that read, “It’s time for you to come on home.” I might be willing to do the hometown discount. We have to see what other opportunities are out there.

The Panthers won’t be the only team trying to sign Canty. Tennessee reportedly has an offer on the table for Canty, and Detroit is also interested, having hosted him last week. The Panthers have yet to bring him in for a visit, but they are hoping that despite their lack of wiggling room to make a generous offer to player who can play both as defensive end and a defensive tackle, the allure of playing in front of hometown fans might do the trick.

Canty has been in the NFL since 2005, spending his first four seasons in the league with the Dallas Cowboys before signing with the New York Giants in 2009. In 113 games (95 starts), Canty has recorded 19 sacks, including 3 last season. He missed 7 games in 2012 after his off-season knee surgery, missing the first six games of the season. He also missed the final game due to a sprained MCL, so whoever does take a chance on the 30 year old, who was making $10.5 million a season during his four years with the Giants.

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