Update 2 (March 20): Max Henson of Panthers.com reports that the Panthers have signed Wright to a three-year contract.
Update 1 (3:07 p.m. ET): NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Panthers will sign Wright to a two-year contract with a $2 million signing bonus and the first year worth up to $3.5 million with incentives.
Former #Vikings WR Jarius Wright is signing with the #Panthers, source said, on a 2-year deal. He gets a $2M signing bonus and the first year is worth up to $3.5M with incentives. ... Didn’t take long to find a home.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 19, 2018
Per Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer (reported on Twitter by Jourdan Rodrigue), the Panthers are expected to sign former Minnesota Vikings receiver Jarius Wright.
This from @scott_fowler - who is currently on the road but called in the scoop citing a source - Panthers are expected to soon sign WR Jarius Wright to play in the slot. Most recently with the Vikings. Has experience in Norv Turner's offense.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) March 19, 2018
Wright is expected to compete as a slot wide receiver. Wright played in 16 games in 2017, racking up 18 catches for 198 yards and two touchdowns. His best season as a pro came in 2014, with 42 catches for 588 yards and two touchdowns.
The former 4th round pick would join a receiving room that already has some decent speed, having added Torrey Smith already this offseason and retaining Damiere Byrd and Curtis Samuel. Christian McCaffery also works out of the slot a decent amount of time.
I’m waiting on the numbers before I give my take on the signing, but it is clear that Marty Hurney is exploring cheaper options to add speed to that group without breaking the bank in free agency. Curtis Samuel flashed during the 2017 season out of the slot but he also is returning from a season ending injury.
Stay tuned for updates and contract details. As reported, they are expected to sign Wright but nothing official has come from the organization.