Jerricho Cotchery deciding between Steelers and Panthers

Free agent WR Jerricho Cotchery deciding between Steelers and Panthers after his visit to Carolina. http://t.co/dqQacG2Lgf

— Joe Person (@josephperson) March 18, 2014

Charlotte Observer beat writer Joe Person is reporting Tuesday Steelers free agent wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery left Charlotte without a contract, and is deciding between signing with the Steelers and the Panthers.

Cotchery visited the team Monday evening and into Tuesday, his first visit to a team outside of Pittsburgh in his free agency quest.

Considering what's left on the market, it could be considered something of a bidding war for Cotchery's services. Neither team will overpay, but if one team would up the other's offer, it'd be the Panthers. They have even less depth at the position than the Steelers do, and more cap space as well.

The Panthers are still likely to pursue other free agent receivers on the market, but Cotchery would be an excellent addition to a team with a budding quarterback and the hopes of establishing a strong run game.

If he would sign with Carolina, they could consider it payback to an extent. The Steelers signed Panthers free agent safety Mike Mitchell to a 5-year deal earlier in free agency. Mitchell replaced Charles Godfrey after he ruptured an Achilles early in the 2013 season. Mitchell replaced him, shined and found himself with a free agent deal with the Steelers.