Carolina Panthers bring back Brenton Bersin on 1-year deal

His blond locks may be gone, but wide receiver Brenton Bersin will be back.

The Carolina Panthers signed the Charlotte native to a one-year deal, according to team and league sources.

Bersin, who was an exclusive rights free agent, caught 13 passes on 20 targets for 151 yards and one touchdown last season. His primary role going into camp will be at receiver after a pedestrian tenure as the team’s punt returner as well as the team bringing back receiver/returner Ted Ginn Jr.

Bersin returned 14 punts last season for just 86 yards during the season. In Carolina’s home playoff win against the Cardinals, Bersin muffed a punt in the first quarter that extended Arizona’s drive. He would go on to call fair catch on the next nine punts in the postseason.

The Panthers coaches like Bersin’s route running and hands, and he’s had a strong on-field connection with quarterback Cam Newton since he was a practice squad player in 2013.

A Wofford graduate, Bersin was known for his long blond hair last season, but he cut it two weeks ago and donated it to Wigs for Kids.

This story was originally published March 9, 2015 at 11:00 AM with the headline "Carolina Panthers bring back Brenton Bersin on 1-year deal."