Panthers agree to terms with punter as 12th free agent returns to Carolina for 2026
The Panthers’ incumbent specialist trio will return in its entirety for 2026.
A month after signing long snapper JJ Jansen to a one-year deal, the Panthers agreed to terms with veteran punter Sam Martin on a two-year contract, a league source confirmed to The Charlotte Observer on Monday.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who was first to report the agreement, states the contract is worth up $5 million over the span of the deal.
Martin, who turned 36 in February, joined the Panthers last season as a free agent. The Appalachian State alum averaged 47.2 yards and 40.5 net yards per punt last season.
Martin is the Panthers’ 12th internal free agent to agree to return to the team this offseason. He joins Jansen, outside linebackers Trevin Gipson and Thomas Incoom, inside linebacker Claudin Cherelus, cornerbacks Akayleb Evans and Robert Rochell, defensive end LaBryan Ray, tight end James Mitchell, wide receiver David Moore and safeties Isaiah Simmons and Nick Scott as returning free agents. However, of that dozen, he is the only to agree to a multiyear deal as of Monday.
The returning bunch will be joined by outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips, outside linebacker Devin Lloyd, center Luke Fortner, offensive tackle Rasheed Walker, wideout John Metchie, quarterback Kenny Pickett and lineman Stone Forsythe, who were all signed during the first week of free agency.
Overall, the Panthers have agreed to 16 one-year deals. Phillips and Lloyd both got blockbuster long-term pacts, while Martin has the incentive-laden two-year agreement.
Martin, Jansen and second-year kicker Ryan Fitzgerald will reunite under special teams coordinator Tracy Smith during the offseason program. Last season, Martin and Jansen mentored Fitzgerald, a 2025 undrafted rookie, as the Panthers won the NFC South division title for the first time since 2015.
This story was originally published March 16, 2026 at 5:42 PM.
