Panthers add speed to linebacker position by signing Kamu Grugier-Hill in free agency
The Panthers added some speed and experience to their linebacker room Tuesday.
Carolina announced veteran linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill as its latest free-agent acquisition following more than a week of roster inactivity. The terms of the contract agreement were not immediately released.
Grugier-Hill, 28, was a special teams ace on the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LII team when Panthers head coach Frank Reich served as the squad’s offensive coordinator.
Grugier-Hill, listed as 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, played for the Eagles from 2016 to 2019. During that entire stint, Panthers running backs/assistant head coach Duce Staley was part of the Eagles’ coaching staff.
A 2016 sixth-round pick of the New England Patriots, Grugier-Hill has bounced around a bit over the past three years. From Miami to Houston to Arizona, he has developed into a quality defensive role player. During his seven-year career, Grugier-Hill has produced 282 tackles, five sacks, six pass breakups and two interceptions in 98 games (37 starts).
Grugier-Hill gives the Panthers the speed they’ve publicly craved at the position. Capable of being a standout on special teams, he can also line up next to Shaq Thompson at inside linebacker on defense.
With Grugier-Hill joining the mix, the Panthers will have some insurance entering the draft at a position of need. Thompson and Grugier-Hill can be slotted in as starters, with 2021 fourth-round pick Brandon Smith, Arron Mosby and Chandler Wooten serving as depth.
This story was originally published April 4, 2023 at 1:59 PM.
