NFL Free Agency Rumors: Hakeem Nicks rejected contract offer from Carolina Panthers

Nov 10, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks (80) is defended by Oakland Raiders cornerback Phillip Adams (28) at MetLife Stadium. The Giants defeated the Raiders 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks (80) is defended by Oakland Raiders cornerback Phillip Adams (28) at MetLife Stadium. The Giants defeated the Raiders 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 10, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks (80) is defended by Oakland Raiders cornerback Phillip Adams (28) at MetLife Stadium. The Giants defeated the Raiders 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks (80) is defended by Oakland Raiders cornerback Phillip Adams (28) at MetLife Stadium. The Giants defeated the Raiders 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Before he signed a free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts, Hakeem Nicks nearly returned home to North Carolina to play for the Carolina Panthers. According to Jonathan Jones from the Charlotte Observer, the Panthers made a contract offer to Nicks but he took his talents to Indianapolis instead.

Nicks spoke about the offer but said the deal just wasn’t a right fit.

Per the Charlotte Observer:

"Saturday, Charlotte native and former New York Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks said his hometown Carolina Panthers offered him a contract but ultimately the two sides agreed it wasn’t the best situation.“Yeah they made an offer when I talked to (Panthers general manager) Dave Gettleman,” Nicks said. “But you know it just didn’t pan out the right way. I feel like this is the best fit for me.”"

Carolina is getting roasted for purging their wide receiving corps and not adding a single offensive weapon for Cam Newton to use in 2014. The Draft in May will likely change that, but losing Nicks hurts even more considering he’s a receiver who walked away from the Panthers without even actually signing with the team first.