The Carolina Panthers have made an abundance of moves recently, re-signing players on offense, defense, and special teams. Furthermore, they are also focusing on their weaknesses and adding pieces in positions of need.
This past Wednesday was a relatively active day for new general manager Dan Morgan.
Let’s recap the Carolina Panthers’ moves from Wednesday, March 27.
Panthers Re-Sign Sam Franklin Jr.
Carolina has brought back Sam Franklin Jr., who led the team in tackles for the last two seasons and also had a 99-yard interception return. He has become known throughout the league for his tackling, especially on kickoffs. With this signing, the Panthers bring back a valuable part of the special teams unit. His contract is another one-year deal.
Sam Franklin's first career INT is also the longest interception return touchdown in @Panthers history.#NFL | #KeepPoundingpic.twitter.com/Dt5qZchl0Z
— Pro Football Reference (@pfref) October 1, 2023
Jadeveon Clowney Inks Deal With Panthers
The biggest news of the day was certainly star linebacker Jadeveon Clowney signing a two-year, $20 million contract with a maximum value of $24 million after signing bonuses and incentives.
If you go back in time and watch Clowney’s collegiate highlights, you will see that he is the “dog” Morgan had been seeking for this Panthers defense. He is a physical linebacker, providing immense value on the defensive side of the ball.
This is a homecoming of sorts for Clowney, who went to High Pointe High School in Rock Hill, S.C. Free agent Stephon Gilmore, a free agent target for Carolina, also attended high school there. Clowney and Gilmore were teammates at the University of South Carolina. If they meet again with the Panthers, they would represent a tremendous addition to Ejiro Evero’s defense.
Run stops last two seasons:
Derrick Brown – 80 (1st among iDL)
A'Shawn Robinson – 54 (9th among iDL)Now add Jadeveon Clowney, whose 90.9 run defense grade since 2015 is the fifth-best mark among edge defenders and 171 stops are fourth-most
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) March 28, 2024
This offseason is looking like one of the Carolina Panthers’ most active in a while, and we’re not even at the NFL Draft yet.
Of course, fans should still be cautiously optimistic. After all, this team did go 2-15 last year.
Nevertheless, things seem to be changing for the better in Charlotte, N.C.
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