Why the Panthers were the right fit for Robby Anderson — and why they wanted him
During Tuesday’s practice, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Robby Anderson had multiple “wow” moments.
The highlight play came when the ball bounced from his hands, then off the foot of cornerback Donte Jackson, who was in coverage, and then back into Anderson’s hands.
Catches like that are a significant reason why the Panthers decided to make sure the receiver did not have a chance to hit free agency in 2022.
The Panthers and Anderson agreed to a two-year extension with the team on Tuesday worth $29.5 million, per league sources with direct knowledge of the agreement. He is now on a three-year deal worth $37.5 million, including $20.5 million guaranteed.
Anderson said he got a call last night that the deal was complete and his agent wanted to make sure he was OK with it.
He was and said it just felt right.
“This is ideally (who) I want to be with for my future,” Anderson said after Tuesday’s practice. “Since I came here it felt like I was finally in my dream.
“I feel the focus of the team, and what we’re working toward, I want to have that security to know I’m here for the long run, so I can commit to it fully. And the coaches, the organization, the city, I just genuinely love being here.”
Anderson, 28, is coming off career highs in almost every receiving category. He had 95 receptions for 1,096 yards and averaged 68.5 yards per game in 2020. Despite that success, he finished the season with only three touchdowns, the fewest since his rookie season with the New York Jets in 2016.
But Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer said that wasn’t a concern when determining whether to re-sign him.
“We looked at the numbers like 95 catches and over 1,000 yards — he produces,” Fitterer said. “A lot of that is game driven, but I expect those numbers to go up.”
Cherishing the moment
Anderson previously had one year remaining on a two-year deal and was set to earn $8 million this season before the extension.
Per a league source, the Panthers added $4 million to his earnings for this season. Anderson will average $12.5 million over the next three years, tied for 20th most among wide receivers. Former Panther Curtis Samuel is earning $11.5 million per season on his new deal with the Washington Football Team. His guaranteed money, however, is less than Samuel’s, who is receiving $21.5 million, per Spotrac.
Anderson will make $13 million in 2022 and $12 million in 2023. He is scheduled to become a free agent in 2023, and the goal is that he will continue to be an integral part of the team’s passing game.
The team’s previous general manager, Marty Hurney, basically signed Anderson to a one-year “prove-it” deal originally. When Fitterer was hired in January, it was quickly clear that retaining Anderson for more seasons was something that would follow.
“We think Robby is an outstanding player,” Panthers coach Matt Rhule said Tuesday. “Had a 1,000-yard season, doing things the right way. A chance for us to lock him up for several years. Excited for that opportunity.
“We think he’s going to be a vital part of our offense.”
Rhule also said that he was pleased with Anderson’s durability in 2020. Anderson played in all 16 games.
Anderson’s deal with the Panthers became official shortly before practice. Anderson said his teammates congratulated him on the deal.
“Everybody on the team — DJ (Moore) came up hugged me,” Anderson said. “Everybody has been like celebrating with me, so it feels good. But I haven’t really even enjoyed the moment yet because I was focused on practice because that’s what comes first. But I think when I come home and reflect, I think I’ll cherish and really feel the moment.”
Other players up next
Prior to signing a two-year deal with the Panthers last offseason, Anderson spent four seasons in New York, where he was teammates with current Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold. He said that also played a part in why he signed with the Panthers.
“Everything across the board was pretty much all check marks, not just the money part of it,” Anderson said.
Darnold has thrown the most touchdown passes in his career to Anderson (11).
“(Anderson’s) super fast. He’s always someone who’s gonna take the top off,” Darnold said this month. “There’s plenty of guys on this team to be able to do that, but when you have elite speed like Robby has, you’re gonna miss him (when he’s not on the field).”
Anderson was originally undrafted out of Temple, where Rhule became a key figure in his life. Rhule, then coaching at Temple, assisted in Anderson in returning to the school and the football program after he was dismissed.
Anderson is also close with Panthers wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson, who coached him for a portion of his time with the Owls.
The wide receiver was the only Panther to not participate in any of the team’s voluntary offseason program, and he has missed time during training camp due to personal reasons and a hamstring injury.
Anderson said his goal this season is to improve upon his numbers from last year.
“If I went from that to that, I can go to more and that’s the goal,” Anderson said. “But that main goal is to win, and I’m just glad to be here for the future to be able to have the opportunity to accomplish what we’re working towards, and that’s a Super Bowl.”
The team is also looking to re-sign wide receiver Moore and cornerback Donte Jackson. Moore had his fifth-year option picked up and is under contract for two more years, while Jackson is on the final year of his rookie deal. The deal will not preclude the Panthers from signing Moore long term.
This story was originally published August 24, 2021 at 12:08 PM.
