Carolina Panthers have traded a former UNC Tar Heels linebacker
The Panthers have traded linebacker Andre Smith to the Bills in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2023.
The team had originally planned to release the linebacker, including announcing on the team’s website that they were doing so. However, just before Smith was about to go on waivers, the Bills struck up a trade for the linebacker, sending a late pick to Carolina in exchange.
Smith was selected by the Panthers in the seventh-round of the 2018 NFL draft out of the University of North Carolina. He has largely been a special teams contributor for Carolina, totaling eight defensive tackles during his two-year career with the team.
“My time with the Panthers was great, I was able to share the field with some of the best players of my time from Luke, TD, Pep, Cam, Greg Olsen, Graham Gano, etc.,” Smith said in a text message. “ive (sic) learned a lot from all the players ive come in contact with and im grateful for being a Panther but im very excited for my next stop.”
He was active in all 16 games last season, playing 66% of special teams snaps. In 2019, he played just 2.3% of defensive snaps, not getting much of an opportunity to show what he can do at linebacker.
Smith had a fine performance in training camp the past couple of weeks, including an interception Friday, but was on the lower end of the depth chart.
After the retirement of Luke Kuechly this offseason, the Panthers’ depth at the linebacker position has been a major issue. The team signed veteran Tahir Whitehead this offseason, and re-signed Shaq Thompson to a four-year contract extension in December. The other linebackers on the roster are Jermaine Carter, Jordan Kunaszyk, Julian Stanford, Adarius Taylor and undrafted free agents Chris Orr and Sam Franklin.
The Panthers have to cut down their roster to 53 players Saturday. With the team waiving Smith, the roster stands at 79 players.
Reporter Jonathan M. Alexander contributed to this story.
This story was originally published August 31, 2020 at 9:55 AM.
