From Panthers to Falcons and back again: Why Feleipe Franks returned to Carolina
Feleipe Franks is wearing a familiar helmet. He’s taking coaching from Panthers special teams coordinator Tracy Smith again. And he’s lined up in drills behind Tommy Tremble and Ja’Tavion Sanders, just like he was in Carolina in 2024.
After a one-year reunion (or detour) with the Atlanta Falcons in 2025, Franks is back in the locker room where the bulk of his teammates voted him special teams MVP during Dave Canales’ first season as head coach. The quarterback-turned-tight end re-signed with the Panthers in March, and he’s ready to get back to work with a bunch of his old friends.
“I think a few things went into it,” Franks said of his return to Mint Street. “But most importantly, just the competitive excellence, culture that they bring here every day. Especially, working with Tracy again, with special teams, (has) always been fun for me, so I’m excited about that as well.”
Franks, 28, posted 11 special teams tackles in Atlanta last year. That would have placed him fourth on the Panthers behind only outside linebacker Thomas Incoom (16), wide receiver Brycen Tremayne (15) and inside linebacker Bam Martin-Scott (12) in 2025. Franks finished second among Panthers special teamers — behind linebacker Jon Rhattigan — in 2024 with 10 tackles.
And while he was held without a catch on offense with the Falcons, he did collect two first downs on a pair of rushing plays in Atlanta. Franks — who came into the league as an undrafted QB with the Falcons in 2021 — has had seven total touches in his NFL career. His lone catch came on a reception with the Panthers — for 12 yards — late in the 2024 season.
In truth, the former Florida Gators and Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback is still developing away from the pocket.
“I think I’ve grown a lot,” Franks said. “I think not only just like at the tight end position but special teams. It’s been really, really fun for me to kind of just sit back and learn from other guys.”
Cameos and learning curves
Franks has played in 33 games over the past two years. He’s been branded as a special teams ace who occasionally trots out on offense.
His cameos at tight end have been less like Alec Baldwin’s iconic turn in “Glengarry Glen Ross” and more like Mark Wahlberg’s bit of randomly popping up in an episode of “Entourage” as himself. Like Wahlberg, Franks’ few-and-far-between appearances have been strategically placed. In particular, Franks has been used on plays that make the most of his QB background and 6-foot-6, 240-pound frame.
Still, his main job is running down punts and kickoffs as a core member of Smith’s special teams unit. He doesn’t lose sight of that aspect of his role. He also doesn’t lose his motor, as his energy has become his calling card, especially in Carolina.
“I really think the energy comes from just — I don’t want to sound like super cliché — but I think every game that I go into, I think that the coaches and myself and all of us, they do such a great job of just making us feel so prepared for the moment when we go out there,” Franks said. “And I try to just study to the point where I’m so prepared when I go out there, I’m not thinking about anything other than just playing fast, having fun, and just kind of letting natural instinct take over.”
In regard to his tight end learning curve, Franks has climbed uphill at his own pace. He was officially listed as a quarterback until the 2022 season.
Franks’ previous four seasons in the NFL were similar to the popular transition of going from high school quarterback to college tight end. His new teammate, Mitchell Evans, went through that process while at Notre Dame.
“I’m very much a guy who has a lot of humility, and I know that I haven’t been doing it for forever,” Franks said. ”So, (the other tight ends) helped me out. They helped me with technique, with everything else, and once again, it’s one of those things you try to learn as much as possible and put your own flavor to it. But it’s grown a lot, my (comfortableness) playing the position.”
Competing for a job on the 53-man roster
The Panthers have routinely kept four tight ends on the 53-man roster under Canales.
Smith has utilized all four of those players on his special teams throughout his time in Carolina. Franks has a leg up in that regard, as he’s easily the most talented special teams player in the tight end room.
But others have the experience on offense that he lacks.
Tremble, Sanders and Evans are the first three guys on the tight end totem pole. Franks is competing with 2025 holdover James Mitchell for the potential fourth spot.
“Everybody is rooting for each other,” Franks said.
Mitchell forced the Panthers to keep four tight ends throughout last season after an impressive first summer in Carolina. Unlike Franks, Mitchell has a fifth-round draft pick pedigree and 16 career receptions for 169 yards and a touchdown on his regular-season resume.
Franks will need to outshine Mitchell in training camp and the preseason to regain his fourth tight end spot. It’d be a full-circle moment, as Mitchell essentially replaced Franks after he bolted for Atlanta.
“I don’t know what made me go, to be quite honest with you, but I will say that I’m very glad and fortunate that they’ve brought me back, and for this opportunity again for this year, because I love working with Tracy and all the guys,” Franks said. “So, I’m very fortunate and very happy to be back again this year though, at least.”
