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.

ESPN's Pat Yasinskas believes the Panthers will "almost have to cut" LCB Chris Gamble this offseason.

The reasoning? Carolina currently has $136 million committed toward the 2013 salary cap that is expected to be just over $120 million. Gamble carries a $10.9 million cap hit for 2013, and the team could save $7.9 million by slashing him from the payroll. The problem is that Gamble is easily the team's best corner, and there isn't a whole lot of solid depth behind him. Gamble, 30 in March, played in just four games in 2012 before landing on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

Panthers placed LCB Chris Gamble on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, ending his season.

Gamble needs surgery. Coming off a strong 2011, Gamble hadn't been as effective this season, but is still easily the Panthers' top cornerback, and had typically been squaring off with opponents' No. 1 receivers. He went down in Week 4. Sporting a bottom-14 pass defense, the Panthers will now be forced to go with Captain Munnerlyn and rookie Josh Norman at corner, with Josh Thomas likely manning the slot. It's not good news for a team that just fired its GM. Five months shy of his 30th birthday, Gamble has two seasons left on a six-year deal.

Panthers LCB Chris Gamble (shoulder) has been ruled out for Week 7 against the Cowboys.

Dallas' offense couldn't ask for a more favorable matchup versus a Panthers defense that was already susceptible both via the run and pass before losing its top corner and MLB Jon Beason, who's listed as doubtful. Expect Captain Munnerlyn and rookie Josh Norman to start at cornerback against the Cowboys.

Panthers declared CB Chris Gamble (shoulder) and LB Jon Beason (knee) inactive for Sunday's Week 5 game against the Seahawks.

If Russell Wilson is going to break out through the air, the matchup in this one is right. Beason's absence is also a major boost to Marshawn Lynch, who figures to run over the Panthers with his physicality. Other Panthers inactives: QB Jimmy Clausen, WR Joe Adams, C/G Geoff Hangartner, DE Thomas Keiser and S D.J. Campbell.

Coach Ron Rivera suggested CB Chris Gamble (shoulder) is unlikely to play versus the Seahawks in Week 5.

Gamble hasn't played quite as well as last season's Pro Bowl-caliber performance, but he's still Carolina's top corner. Captain Munnerlyn is expected to start opposite Josh Norman with with Josh Thomas in the slot. It's a shame an underwhelming Russell Wilson won't be able to take advantage of the matchup.

Bucs QB Josh Freeman noted this week that Panthers CB Chris Gamble is "playing as well as I've seen him."

Gamble has had a quality bounce-back season, successfully shadowing No. 1 receivers. "He's got a lot of football under his belt," said DC Sean McDermott. "Very smart player. Very heady player. Tremendous ball skills." Gamble now seems likely to collect his $6.75 million base salary for 2012.

Chris Gamble (concussion) said he expects to return for Sunday's game against the Saints.

Gamble became sensitive to light and was feeling dizzy late last week, so he was held out. His return is a boost to a secondary that has little chance of even slowing down Drew Brees without him.

Panthers CB Chris Gamble (concussion, doubtful) did not make the team's trip to Chicago.

Darius Butler will start opposite Captain Munnerlyn in Gamble's place. Gamble will most likely return in Week 5.

Panthers CB Chris Gamble (concussion) is listed as doubtful for Week 4.

The Bears will face a Panthers team without its top corner, so it's a shame Chicago can't protect Jay Cutler enough to capitalize. For Carolina, expect Captain Munnerlyn and Darius Butler to start with Jordan Pugh at nickel back.

Panthers CB Chris Gamble (concussion) has still not been cleared to practice.

"I'm disappointed. He was feeling better the other day and we thought he might have turned the corner," coach Ron Rivera said. "Unfortunately, he didn't feel well today. So we'll continue to follow protocol. We'll see how it goes." Former Patriots second-rounder Darius Butler will start if Gamble can't go.