Cat Scratch Reader - All PostsKeep Pounding!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48401/catscratchreader_fave.png2024-03-18T19:29:07-04:00http://www.catscratchreader.com/rss/current/2024-03-18T19:29:07-04:002024-03-18T19:29:07-04:00Offensive tackle Yosh Nijman signs with Panthers
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<p>A quality depth tackle signing is never a bad thing</p> <p id="Bo6GIg">The Carolina Panthers have agreed to terms with former Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Yosh Nijman. He is a 28-year old plus athlete with starting experience who the Packers signed as an undrafted free agent out of Virginia Tech in 2019.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Panthers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Panthers</a> have agree to terms with former <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Packers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Packers</a> OT Yosh Nijman, source said, some depth for the O-line</p>— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1769860711172198527?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="zNbeKr">This is a quality signing for the offensive line, pairing Nijman with Brady Christensen as depth this season that would have started for the Panthers in many other seasons. He is also a strong insurance policy for Ikem Ekwonu should the third year left tackle continue to struggle.</p>
<p id="9KI3qD">Nijman had a history of mixed success with the Packers. He started eight games in 2022 at left tackle and 13 in 2023 at right tackle. He then lost the faith of offensive line coach turned offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich and finished his career in Wisconsin as a back up.</p>
<p id="805YrH">He certainly won’t be expected to start over Ickey, but he could well earn the job in training camp if recovers his old form and Ickey continues where he left off in 2023. But anybody penciling him in as a day one starter is drinking too much kool-aid for a tackle who took over a week to sign with a team.</p>
<p id="zlX3zF">There is still plenty of upside, paired with some demonstrated success, for Nijman as an offensive tackle. Regardless of just how well he pans out for the Panthers, this signing continues to bolster what is becoming one of the deepest offensive lines this franchise has fielded. If only that was a high bar to clear.</p>
https://www.catscratchreader.com/2024/3/18/24105357/offensive-tackle-yosh-nijman-signs-with-panthersWalker Clement2024-03-18T16:09:27-04:002024-03-18T16:09:27-04:00The Scratching Post: 3/18-3/22
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<p>Here’s this week’s open thread.</p> <p id="w5Cjti">Greetings, internet users. Welcome to The Scratching Post.</p>
<p id="78dTcJ">Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.</p>
<p id="B7b12x">You know the drill.</p>
<p id="MgdTDv"><em><strong>This is now an open thread!</strong></em></p>
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https://www.catscratchreader.com/2024/3/18/24105177/the-scratching-post-3-18-3-22Walker Clement2024-03-18T12:30:00-04:002024-03-18T12:30:00-04:00An updated look at the Panthers cap situation
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<p>A flurry of early free agency activity surely has fans wondering if the Carolina Panthers have any money left to spend. They do. </p> <p id="F8Ey9q">The <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> entered the 2024 offseason with a respectable but unspectacular amount of cap space. They’ve made a few moves to clear more space and structured incoming deals to maximize that space. Even with all of the acquisitions the Panthers have already made, there’s still room for more. </p>
<p id="SIPf0I">Far away the biggest move the Panthers made to clear space was trading Brian Burns to the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>. Burns was a free agent coming into the offseason, but the franchise tag gave him a $24 million cap hit. The Panthers completely offloaded that by trading Burns to the Giants. They cleared out another roughly $5.5 million by releasing Bradley Bozeman and Vonn Bell. </p>
<p id="wDKELr">The Panthers have maximized the space they have this year by giving out very small base salaries in the first year of each deal they’ve signed. According to <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/transactions/carolina-panthers/">Spotrac</a>, the 2024 base salaries for Robert Hunt, Damien Lewis, A’Shawn Robinson, Josey Jewell, and Dane Jackson are all $1.125 million. That makes all of their cap hits for this season relatively small compared to the total valuations of the contracts. We don’t have the specifics on the deals for DJ Wonnum, K’Lavon Chaisson, or Jordan Fuller. Wonnum has a two year deal, so it’s probably backloaded in the second year. Chaisson and Fuller are reportedly getting one year deals, so there can’t be any cap manipulation with those. </p>
<p id="lYkHRr">Without factoring those deals in, Spotrac and <a href="https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/carolina-panthers">Over the Cap</a> have the Panthers with about $18-$19 million in cap space. They have to account for incoming rookies, and they’re current draft slots would account for about $8 million. However, since only the top 51 salaries count against the cap in the offseason, the later round picks won’t factor in to the cap calculations. The Panthers will end up needing a little under $6 million to sign their first few draft picks. </p>
<p id="R3ljba">Given the total value of Wonnum’s deal is reportedly $12.5 million over the next two seasons, we can make a rough guess of his cap hit. If the Panthers structure his deal like they did Dane Jackson’s two year pact, Wonnum will probably count for about $3 and $4 million against the cap. Factor in the additional ~$6 million for the draft picks, and the Panthers are down to about $9-$10 million under the cap before counting the deals for Chaisson and Fuller.</p>
<p id="fSDGzw">Chaisson and Fuller’s contracts probably aren’t going to eat into that too much. Chaisson hasn’t produced enough to warrant anything more than a prove-it deal and Fuller is a safety, and no one pays safeties in free agency for some reason. </p>
<p id="aD5s8I">Assuming the Panthers don’t give Fuller more than a few million, they probably still have about $4-6 million in cap space left to make one or two more moves. They can sign another significant player for a few years if they structure the deal like they did their other long term contracts. They have or will host guys like Mike Williams, Michael Gallup, Jadeveon Clowney, and Chase Young. They have the means to sign any of those players should they convince one to sign here. </p>
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https://www.catscratchreader.com/2024/3/18/24104733/an-updated-look-at-the-carolina-panthers-cap-situationJonathan DeLong2024-03-18T10:30:09-04:002024-03-18T10:30:09-04:00Panthers visiting with top WR, EDGE free agents
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<p>The team is still in the market for upgrades at key positions</p> <p id="odl7V4">The <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> are still actively pursuing upgrades at key positions even after <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/2024/3/11/24097449/carolina-panthers-2024-free-agency-tracker-dan-morgan-brandt-tilis-brian-burns-troy-hill">a busy first week in free agency</a>. They traded for a wide receiver and signed two edge rushers last week, but that doesn’t mean the roster is complete.</p>
<p id="D1qzsH">At wide receiver, the Panthers have scheduled visits with two recently released wide receivers at or near the top of this year’s free agency class. The team clearly wants an upgrade in addition to the recently acquired Diontae Johnson at wide receiver. Those visits are with former Los Angeles Charger Mike Williams and former Dallas Cowboy Michael Gallup.</p>
<p id="l4DeKz">On the edge, the Panthers finished visits last week with both Jadaveon Clowney and Chase Young. While they signed D.J. Wonnum and K’Lavon Chaisson last week, neither of those additions would prevent the team from stacking more talent on top. In fact, more signings are expected because only Wonnum is viewed as a fringe starter at outside linebacker.</p>
<h4 id="VxMlgQ">Mike Williams</h4>
<p id="WslFDS">We talked last week about how <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/2024/3/13/24099532/mike-williams-carolina-panthers-los-angeles-chargers-khalil-mack-joey-bosa-free-agency">he might become an option for the Panthers</a> if the cap challenged <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Chargers</a> were forced to release him. Williams is a top shelf talent with all of the speed, size, and skills to be the Panthers clear cut WR1 in 2024. He also has an injury history a mile long.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Former Chargers’ WR Mike Williams is scheduled to visit this week with the Jets, Panthers and Steelers, per source. Jets up first with Williams arriving Monday night.<br><br>Also, with the Chargers having traded WR Keenan Allen, they also are interested in bringing back Williams.</p>— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1769508869821104179?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="3k1dBx">It’s hard to predict where his price point will fall and what he’s interested in doing this season. He will have multiple suitors, including a Chargers team that wants him back at a lower price point than his previous contract.</p>
<h4 id="LfDWdv">Michael Gallup</h4>
<p id="yGsZRX">Gallup has been the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> third or fourth best receiving option for the past six seasons. He has one 1,000 yard receiving season in his past, but has failed to eclipse 500 yards while playing third fiddle to the likes of Ceedee Lamb, Noah Brown, Amari Cooper, and/or Brandin Cooks over the past three seasons.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">As the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Panthers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Panthers</a> continue to look to add weapons, source says they are bringing in former <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cowboys?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cowboys</a> WR Michael Gallup in for a visit next week.</p>— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1769055768878137766?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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<p id="XXOdbq">The former third round pick would be a step up for the Panthers current rotation without being the solid home run that Williams would be. Gallup would fall more in the vein of savvy technician/veteran that the team already has in Adam Thielen and Johnson. Expect a Gallup signing to lead to one of those three being cut coming out of training camp.</p>
<h4 id="WycoMP">Jadaveon Clowney and Chase Young</h4>
<p id="QxLBlG">We talked a little about <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/2024/3/13/24099564/rumors-chase-young-jadaveon-clowney-carolina-panthers">what each of these guys would mean to the Panthers</a> last week. Both of their visits have now come and gone without a signing. Both players are exploring their options on the open market. I’ll keep considering them as options for the Panthers until they sign with other teams.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Free-agent pass rusher Chase Young is expected to visit the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Panthers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Panthers</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Saints?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Saints</a> this week, per source. <br><br>A handful of teams have expressed interest in Young, the 2020 defensive rookie of the year who’s still only 24 years old. <a href="https://t.co/zQpwRW7iyy">pic.twitter.com/zQpwRW7iyy</a></p>— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1767619050476024281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2024</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Free agent Jadeveon Clowney, meeting with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Panthers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Panthers</a> this evening, is slated to visit the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jets?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jets</a> next week, sources say. So Clowney is currently slated to explore multiple options before making a decision on where he will play in 2024. <a href="https://t.co/yqUmtwddeK">pic.twitter.com/yqUmtwddeK</a></p>— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeGarafolo/status/1768436847628218672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2024</a>
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<p id="YfMKva">Neither player is expected to break the bank wherever they sign and both would be an immediate talent and experience upgrades along the edge for Carolina. Yes, even Young, who is trying to shake off the ‘bust’ label with his next contract.</p>
https://www.catscratchreader.com/2024/3/18/24104757/mike-williams-jadaveon-clowney-chase-young-michael-gallup-visiting-carolina-panthersWalker Clement2024-03-18T08:00:00-04:002024-03-18T08:00:00-04:0024 questions for ‘24: What can we learn from the Panthers offseason thus far?
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<p>Let’s explore the rationale behind signing two guards, trading for Diontae Johnson, and other recent roster moves. </p> <p id="D8x1V0">As we look forward to the 2024 season, in the coming weeks we’ll ask 24 important questions that will shape the Panthers future. </p>
<p id="uRXOBx"><strong>Why did GM Dan Morgan invest $153 million in guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis? </strong></p>
<p id="mw3ZRn">The answer to this question is simple: <em>There is nothing more important in 2024 than putting Bryce Young in a position to develop and succeed. </em></p>
<p id="vWaheL">Nothing - I mean nothing - trumps Young’s Year 2 development. Almost any rookie quarterback would have failed in the situation Bryce Young inherited last year. There were scheme changes, coaching changes, a weak running game, inconsistent offensive line play, and only one legitimate receiving threat in Adam Thielen. </p>
<p id="Vj2RRn">Dan Morgan brought in Hunt and Lewis on big contracts because the Panthers front office thinks they are the cure to what ailed Carolina’s blocking last year. </p>
<p id="bBJEO3">According to <a href="https://twitter.com/josephperson/status/1767385005876027741">Joe Person on X</a>, the plan is to move Austin Corbett from guard to center while moving Brady Christensen from guard to swing tackle. Frankly, moving Christensen back to tackle is long overdue. As a die-hard <a href="https://www.vanquishthefoe.com">BYU</a> fan I’ve watched Brady Christensen play football since 2017 and he’s a more natural tackle than a somewhat undersized guard. </p>
<p id="1pg2Dn">If you don’t think Christensen is athletic enough to play on the edge, don’t fear. He played tackle all through college and was a <a href="https://www.deseret.com/sports/2021/1/8/22220947/byu-football-brady-christensen-zach-wilson-consensus-all-american-nfl-draft-ty-detmer/">2020 consensus All-American</a>. It’s his natural position. In the 2021 NFL Draft Combine he was ranked the <a href="https://www.nfl.com/prospects/brady-christensen/32004348-5206-5609-6e2c-c835b62c353f">No. 1 most athletic tackle</a> evaluated that year and put up an <a href="https://ras.football/ras-information/?PlayerID=19723">elite 9.84 Relative Athletic Score</a>. Moving him from tackle in college to guard in the NFL was a mistake, in my humble opinion. </p>
<p id="uqnsEm">On paper the Panthers have a solid-looking offensive line with tackles Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton, guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, Austin Corbett at center, and Brady Christensen providing depth at both guard and tackle positions. </p>
<p id="2NvJhI">The hope is a better offensive line with both open up the running game and give Bryce Young better protection in the pocket. Assuming that happens, 2024 will be an enlightening year as to what the Panthers have - or don’t have - in their young franchise quarterback. </p>
<p id="1OtVwp"><strong>What free agency move hurts the worst? </strong></p>
<p id="uA5wLe">The answer to this question is simple, too: <em>Losing Frankie Luvu. </em></p>
<p id="o50T5k">In 2021, Luvu’s first season with the Panthers, he was an impactful rotational player who produced 43 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and three fumble recoveries. Carolina’s front office saw enough in him to extend him on a two year deal for 2022 and 2023. </p>
<p id="zwrGPa">In those two beautiful seasons Luvu morphed into one of the most disruptive linebackers in the NFL. He had 236 combined tackles, 29 tackles for loss, and 12.5 sacks over the last two seasons. I think he has been the second most important and impactful player on Carolina’s defense behind only Derrick Brown. </p>
<p id="a3ctVz">Luvu played with passion and toughness. Watching him leave Carolina for the <a href="https://www.hogshaven.com/">Washington Commanders</a> on a relatively affordable 3-year, $31 million contract is hard to swallow. I know Carolina’s front office is focused on bolstering the offense, but I wish they would have found a way to make the cap work to retain Luvu. </p>
<p id="zby085">Thanks for the memories, Frankie. </p>
<p id="UrwUyR"><strong>What potentially significant move has flown under the radar thus far? </strong></p>
<p id="uM4DDC">Trading cornerback Donte Jackson for wide receiver Diontae Johnson could be a home run for the Panthers. </p>
<p id="ieW9tg">While Diontae had worn out his welcome with the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>, his production through his first five NFL seasons has been solid. In 77 career games behind shaky quarterbacks he racked up 391 receptions (5.1 per game) for 4,363 yards (56.7 per game) and 25 touchdowns. </p>
<p id="SvMlaO">At his best, Johnson is a Pro Bowl receiver. In 2021, his third NFL season, he made the Pro Bowl with 107 receptions, 1,161 yards, and five touchdowns. Through five seasons his worst campaign was his 2019 rookie year with 59 receptions for 680 yards. </p>
<p id="K3H8z2">He immediately becomes the Panthers highest-ceiling receiver, provided he’s focused and motivated, and will be a nice compliment to Adam Thielen. The Panthers need legitimate receiving weapons for Bryce Young, and if all goes well Diontae Johnson has the potential to approach 100 receptions and 1,000 yards. He has done it before. </p>
<p id="paE5k2">As far as Donte Jackson goes, I think the vast majority of Panthers fans have nothing but love for the outgoing veteran. He spent six mostly productive seasons in Carolina. He did exactly what teams want from a second round pick by earning a starting spot in his 2018 rookie season and never relinquishing it. While he never played at a Pro Bowl level, he was generally a plus in the Panthers secondary provided he was healthy (which was less often than anybody would have liked). </p>
<p id="QURbaH">All the best, Donte. </p>
<p id="gh6AU1"><strong>What remaining free agent should the Panthers sign? </strong></p>
<p id="GegNsU">Yes, I’m a BYU homer, and that’s probably impacting my thinking process here, but when I see Carolina’s lack of proven depth at defensive end I’d love for the Panthers to sign Kyle Van Noy on a one-year deal. </p>
<p id="ThDpA0">The veteran just turned 33 last week so he’s older, but definitely not over the hill. In fact, his 2023 campaign was arguably the best of his long, consistent career. The veteran was an unsigned free agent to start the 2023 season and then joined the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> early in the regular season. He quickly became a key piece in the Ravens defense. </p>
<p id="6XPFeZ">Over 13 games last year he registered 30 tackles, nine sacks, and nine tackles for loss as a rotational player. </p>
<p id="H2315j">Oh, and he did it on a 1-year, $1.4 million contract. </p>
<p id="aYTZvr">Now, at this point in his career Van Noy might be more interested in chasing a Super Bowl ring than being a veteran leader on the NFL’s worst team. But Carolina could probably land his services for a near negligible cap hit (say 1-year, $2.5 million?) and get a proven vet who just flirted with double-digit sacks as a reserve last year. </p>
<p id="NyYjAw">KVN’s productivity and cap hit would fit really well in Carolina. </p>
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https://www.catscratchreader.com/2024/3/18/24102584/24-questions-for-24-what-can-we-learn-from-the-panthers-offseason-thus-farD.A. Sweat2024-03-16T13:06:42-04:002024-03-16T13:06:42-04:00Shaq Thompson agrees to contract restructure
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<p>The move creates a little more cap space for the Panthers</p> <p id="EzrIN1">The <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> have agreed to a contract restructure with linebacker Shaq Thompson. The restructure, which is a polite way of saying pay cut in this instance, ensures Thompson will be with the team through at least the 2024 season.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Panthers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Panthers</a> recently restructured LB Shaq Thompson's contract, reducing his base pay this season to $3.1 million ($1.7M guaranteed) and clearing about $3M in cap space. <br><br>So amidst a roster overhaul in Carolina, Thompson -- the team's first-round pick in 2015 -- will be back.</p>— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1768991279554154645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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<p id="BphAPi">Thompson, the Panthers first round pick in 2015, is working his way back from a fibula fracture that he sustained during the team’s September 18th game against the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> on Monday Night Football last season.</p>
<p id="sN2gPt"> While his on field impact may depend greatly on how well he recovers from the leg fracture, the Panthers should be grateful for his leadership. He is one of the few remaining leaders on the team’s defense, having served for four seasons as a team captain. The rest of the roster, as it currently stands, consists of journeymen and one-year rentals. That’s not to mention the opportunity for more than a few rookies to step into significant roles right away.</p>
https://www.catscratchreader.com/2024/3/16/24103168/shaq-thompson-carolina-panthers-contract-restructure-pay-cutWalker Clement2024-03-15T18:00:00-04:002024-03-15T18:00:00-04:00CSR Weekend Warriors: The truth is just a piece of clay; you sculpt, you change, you hide, then you erase
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<p>Here’s a fresh weekend open thread just for you.</p> <p id="9awUQz">Feel free to use this thread to hang out over the weekend and chat about whatever you want (just make sure you follow the ToS ... the rules still apply here) with anyone who decides to stick around.</p>
<p id="VyD2Ac"><em><strong>This is now an open thread!</strong></em></p>
https://www.catscratchreader.com/2024/3/15/24074008/csr-weekend-warriors-the-truth-is-just-a-piece-of-clay-you-sculpt-you-change-you-hide-then-you-eraseb1gd512024-03-15T16:22:41-04:002024-03-15T16:22:41-04:00Safety Jordan Fuller is signing with the Panthers
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<p>Carolina brings in another player with ties to defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero</p> <p id="lXRJAF">The Panthers have found their replacement for safety Vonn Bell, who they released earlier this week.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Panthers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Panthers</a> aren't done, as they are signing <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rams?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rams</a> S Jordan Fuller, source said. Another defensive addition.</p>— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1768729342052352268?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2024</a>
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<p id="x8rvv8">Its reportedly a 1 year deal for $5.25 million.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's 1 year up to $5.25 million, per source <a href="https://t.co/dZarSgwpDa">https://t.co/dZarSgwpDa</a></p>— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1768729888926597553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2024</a>
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<p id="UI28Nm">Jordan Fuller is a former 6th round pick for the LA Rams in 2020, starting 46 of 48 possible games on his rookie deal. After getting put on injured/reserve in 2022, Fuller returned to his rookie form in 2023, logging 94 total tackles, 8 pass deflections, 3 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles, having arguably his best year as a starter.</p>
<p id="dr7oZL">Ejiro Evero was his safeties coach and secondary coach for some of that span, so clearly the connection is there and explains the release of Vonn Bell somewhat. He should slot in as a starter immediately alongside Xavier Woods in this defense, as the Panthers continue to fill holes with players that often have Evero connections with low risk deals. Fuller could earn himself a multi year deal in free agency next season if he builds on his solid 2023 campaign.</p>
<p id="fPFV1i">What are your thoughts on this signing, Panthers fans?</p>
https://www.catscratchreader.com/2024/3/15/24102310/safety-jordan-fuller-is-signing-with-the-panthers-ejiro-evero-xavier-woods-vonn-bellBrian Beversluis