Carolina Panthers free agency tracker: Corner A.J. Bouye fills major need
The Carolina Panthers made their biggest splash in free agency Wednesday when they reached an agreement with edge rusher Haason Reddick.
Reddick, who played for first four years of his career in Arizona, recorded 12.5 sacks and six forced fumbles during the 2020 season. Before he was drafted in 2017, Reddick played college football at Temple where Panthers coach Matt Rhule was then the head coach.
The Panthers also filled out holes across the roster with the rest of their signings and continue to make moves as the offseason progresses.
Defensive back and defensive tackle remain the Panthers’ biggest areas of need.
Check out the latest free agency signings and moves:
New Panther signings
▪ G Pat Elflein — three-year, $13.5 million deal with $6 million fully guaranteed
▪ T Cam Erving — two-year, $10 million deal with $8 million fully guaranteed
▪ LB Haason Reddick — one-year, $8 million deal with $6 million fully guaranteed
▪ LB Denzel Perryman — two year deal
▪ DL Morgan Fox —two-year, $8.1 million deal with $7 million fully guaranteed
▪ DB Rasaan Melvin — one-year deal
▪ RB Darius Clark
▪ WR David Moore — two-year, $4.75 million deal with $1.25 million guaranteed
▪ TE Dan Morgan — two-year, $6 million deal
▪ LB Frankie Luvu — one-year, $180,000 signing bonus and $920,000 base salary
▪ WR Micah Simon
Former BYU wide receiver caught the attention of the Panthers during the school’s Pro Day. He ran a 4.34 40-yard dash after going undrafted last year.
▪ S J.T. Ibe
▪ T Martez Ivey — one-year deal
▪ CB Jalen Julius
▪ CB A.J. Bouye
Re-signed by Panthers
▪ WR Brandon Zylstra — one-year deal, $920,000
Zylstra was slated to become a restricted free agent. He is a special teams contributor and gives the team depth at wide receiver.
▪ WR Keith Kirkwood — one-year deal, $780,000
Also scheduled to become a restricted free agent, re-signing Kirkwood provides additional depth at wide receiver with uncertainty surrounding whether the team can bring back Curtis Samuel, who is expected to test free agency. Kirkwood’s ability to stay healthy is the biggest question mark. He missed most of last season after breaking his clavicle and then re-injuring it during the season.
▪ K Joey Slye — one-year deal, $850,000
Slye will have competition in training camp with kicker Lirim Hajrullahu.
▪ TE Colin Thompson — one-year deal, $780,000
Thompson provides depth at tight end and is a special teams contributor.
▪ T Trent Scott — one-year deal, $920,000 base with a $730,000 bonus
After starting four games last season, Scott will provide valuable depth on the offensive line that still has plenty of question marks. He was slated to become a restricted free agent.
▪ LS J.J. Jansen — one-year deal, $1.05 million
Jansen, 35, has played in every regular season game for the Panthers since 2009.
▪ RT Taylor Moton —franchise tag, $13.754 million
Moton and the Panthers have until July 15 to try and work out a long-term deal.
▪ OG John Miller — one-year deal
The Panthers had hoped to bring back Miller for another year and the two sides were able to come to agreement on a one-year contract. Miller adds some much needed help at right guard and gives the Panthers a solid starter. He started 14 games for the team in 2020.
Former Panthers signed elsewhere
▪ DE Stephen Weatherly - Minnesota Vikings
Weatherly re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings after one year in Carolina. He spent the first four years of his career in Minnesota after the Vikings drafted him in 2016.
▪ P Michael Palardy — Miami Dolphins
Palardy’s time with the Panthers ended after he spent all of last season on injured reserve due to a torn ACL suffered prior to the start of the season. The punter, a South Florida native, is set to sign a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins.
▪ TE Chris Manhertz — Jacksonville Jaguars
Manhertz is signing a two-year, $7.25 million deal, including $4.25 million guaranteed, with the Jaguars. He was primarily a blocking tight end for the Panthers and was with the team since 2016, when he was signed off waivers from the Saints mid-season. Panthers head coach Matt Rhule referred to him as one of the best blocking tight ends in the league. The Panthers priority at tight end this offseason was investing in a tight end to assist as a receiver.
▪ FB Alex Armah — New Orleans Saints
Armah is headed down south to a division rival. A Panthers’ sixth-round pick in 2017, he had limited carries in 2020, and fullback is not a key component in Joe Brady’s offense. Armah is a solid blocker and will be expected to contribute in multiple ways in New Orleans.
▪ WR Curtis Samuel — Washington Football Team
When the Panthers picked up Moton’s franchise tag, the odds of re-signing Samuel immediately decreased. In the end, Samuel reunited with many familiar faces in Washington, including head coach Ron Rivera, and will have an opportunity to be used more than he likely would have been had he stayed in the Panthers offense.
With DJ Moore and Robby Anderson on the roster, Carolina was not in a position to pay Samuel what he was looking for. He found a new team that is quite familiar with his talents.
▪ C Tyler Larsen — Washington Football Team
The Panthers have lost multiple free agents to Washington. Larsen was a backup center and special teams contributor. He had been with the team since 2016.
▪ RB Mike Davis — Atlanta Falcons
Davis put up his best career season backing up Christian McCaffrey in 2020. Finishing with 1,015 scrimmage yards in 12 starts, the running back filled in well and became a valuable part of the offense as both a receiver and a back.
Now, he’ll have an opportunity to compete for a starting job in Atlanta after signing a two-year deal to play for his hometown team.
▪ DL Zach Kerr — San Francisco 49ers
The Panthers released the veteran defensive tackle amidst the start of free agency after just one season in Carolina. Kerr was a solid presence on the line and would have provided the team with much-needed depth at tackle. But Kerr found work quickly, signing a one-year deal with the 49ers.
▪ DL Efe Obada — Buffalo Bills
Coming off his best season in 2020 with 5.5 sacks, fan-favorite Obada was a restricted free agent this offseason. The Panthers elected not to tender him and despite mutual interest, the two sides could not come to an agreement on a new deal. Ultimately he became an unrestricted free agent and signed in Buffalo. He joins many former Panthers and defensive line coach Eric Washington, who was previously the defensive coordinator in Carolina.
▪ G Chris Reed — Indianapolis Colts
Reed started 14 games for the Panthers at left guard. His season began by testing positive for COVID-19, but after recovering, Reed started the remaining games. He was a consistent presence on the offensive line, but Carolina is looking to upgrade the unit.
He is signing a one-year deal in Indianapolis.
▪ CB Corn Elder — Detroit Lions
Elder was primarily the Panthers nickel corner in 2020, however, the team decided to move on from multiple members of the secondary in the offseason after a mediocre overall performance.
Elder will get an opportunity to contribute to a developing defense again in Detroit.
This story was originally published March 15, 2021 at 1:30 PM.
