Hunter Renfrow, after a period of limited interest following his release from the Las Vegas Raiders, is now seeing potential avenues for a return to the NFL. His previous extension with the Raiders did not translate into consistent production, and his 2024 free agency yielded little traction. However, two recent visits suggest a renewed interest in the veteran slot receiver. According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Renfrow met with the Carolina Panthers this week and is scheduled to meet with the Las Vegas Raiders, his former team, today.
Hunter Renfrow Meeting With Las Vegas Raiders
Renfrow’s departure from the Raiders marked the end of a tumultuous period under two different team regimes. He struggled to find his place in Josh McDaniels’ offensive scheme, despite receiving a two-year, $32 million extension shortly after McDaniels’ arrival. Subsequently, Tom Telesco, the Raiders’ short-lived general manager, released him.
Now, the new Raiders leadership, spearheaded by Pete Carroll, John Spytek, and Tom Brady, is considering bringing him back. This comes at a time when the Raiders face a significant need for wide receiver depth, especially following the departure of Davante Adams. While Jakobi Meyers had a productive 2024 season, and Tre Tucker showed promise, the team requires additional support to complement Brock Bowers.
Renfrow, 29, initially proved to be a valuable asset for the Raiders, particularly after the team’s failed attempts with Antonio Brown and Henry Ruggs. The 2019 fifth-round pick delivered consecutive 600-yard seasons, culminating in a 1,038-yard performance in 2021, which contributed to the Raiders’ unexpected playoff run.
This success led to his contract extension, but his production declined under McDaniels, who phased him out of the offense. The Raiders attempted to trade Renfrow before ultimately releasing him, and he recorded a combined 585 yards in the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers underwent a significant overhaul of their receiving corps last year, involving Diontae Johnson and Jonathan Mingo. With Adam Thielen returning for his age-35 season and Xavier Legette looking to build on his rookie year, the Panthers are exploring additional options. Renfrow, a South Carolina native, will gain valuable insights into his potential NFL return following his meetings with both the Panthers and the Raiders.