Free agent CB Chris Gamble is planning to retire. "A number of teams have expressed interest in (him)," Gamble's agent said in a statement. "However, Chris informed me last night that he wants to retire. Even though he still loves football, he told me that he's decided to focus on life after football." It's stunning news for a 30 year old who seemed to have some good football left, but could be an indication the shoulder injury that limited Gamble to four games last season was more serious than previously thought. Perpetually underrated since being the No. 28 pick of the 2004 draft, Gamble will finish his career with 27 interceptions across 123 games if he's indeed hanging up his cleats. It's possible Gamble will reconsider once training camp rolls around.

The Patriots have "inquired about" free agent CBs Chris Gamble and Derek Cox. Coupled with their reported interest in Sean Smith, it's an indication the Patriots won't be waiting on Aqib Talib. It could also be a leverage play. The Pats would ideally come away with at least one veteran corner if they let Talib walk.

The Broncos hosted Dunta Robinson for a free-agent visit on Friday before he signed with Kansas City. It's an indication Denver is in the market for veteran cornerbacks. Chris Gamble would be a more-than-adequate backup plan, as he's better than Robinson in coverage and has ties to Broncos coach John Fox from their days together in Carolina.

MLive.com suggests the Lions could be interested in free agent CB Chris Gamble. Gamble, of course, was just released by the Panthers on Friday. Detroit is in desperate need of cornerback help, and they like their corners to have some length to them. Gamble, 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, should have plenty of suitors and could come as a bargain in a deep free-agent market.

Panthers released CB Chris Gamble. The expected move creates $7.9 million in both cap space and cash savings. Gamble is still a fine cover corner, but was limited to four games by a shoulder injury last season. He's recovering from surgery, and is three days shy of his 30th birthday. The Panthers didn't miss a beat without him in 2012. Gamble should draw healthy interest in free agency, but is entering a crowded corner market. He could have trouble landing guaranteed money beyond 2013.

The Charlotte Observer's Joe Person says "all indications I've received are" that the Panthers will release CB Chris Gamble. "They've kind of cut bait. I've not heard any talk about anything other than a straight cut," said Person. Gamble, 30 next Month, will not be offered a pay cut, and his current cap number sits at $10.95 million, third-highest on the team. He's likely to enter a deep free-agent corner market, so Gamble could be a bargain for some team.

League sources expect new Panthers GM Dave Gettleman's "first major move" to be releasing LCB Chris Gamble. Gamble has been considered as good as gone amongst the Carolina media, but this is the first report to be linked back to the Panthers' front office. Gamble is still a fine cover corner, but will be on the wrong side of 30 next month, making his $7.9 million salary prohibitive for a team facing daunting cap issues. The Panthers could end up devoting multiple draft picks to their secondary.

The Charlotte Observer expects the Panthers to release LCB Chris Gamble.

The Panthers are projected to be roughly $16 million over the salary cap as the offseason gets underway. As ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas -- a former Carolina beat writer -- notes, the Panthers will need to "trim on both sides of the ball." Although he's still the Panthers' top cover corner, LCB Chris Gamble is expected to be among Carolina's cap casualties because cutting him would save $7 million. Owed $2.5M in salary and a roster bonus, DT Ron Edwards will be another easy cut.

The Panthers could save $7 million in salary cap space by releasing LCB Chris Gamble this offseason. Gamble is an effective cover corner when healthy, but Carolina's miserable cap situation makes his release all but a foregone conclusion. He's owed a $7.9 million salary for 2013. Gamble, who turns 30 in March, is also coming off shoulder surgery. He'd still be an attractive target on the free agent market.