The Panthers did not wind up landing Milton Williams, but they are nevertheless adding along the defensive front. Edge rusher Patrick Jones is heading to Carolina, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
This will be a two-year deal, Garafolo adds. The pact has a maximum value of $20MM. Jones flashed potential in 2024, the final year of his rookie pact, and it has now earned him a payday.
Garafolo previously mentioned Jones as a player who might do better than expected in free agency, and his contract year is almost definitely at the root of it. Jones stepped in as a rotational rusher and registered seven sacks for the Vikings, who gave him only four starts throughout his rookie contract. Jones also racked up career-best numbers in tackles for loss (nine) and QB hits (12) last season.
Although Jones did tally four sacks in 2022, the Panthers are betting on the former third-round pick’s upside over his past production. That can be a good route to take in free agency, which regularly sees overpays. Jones, though, played 635 defensive snaps in 2023 and posted one sack. The Panthers also have major questions at edge rusher, with Jadeveon Clowney going into his age-32 season and ex-Jones Viking teammate D.J. Wonnum not seeing much time after a late activation off the PUP list.
No Panther topped six sacks after Brian Burns‘ departure, and the team plummeted to 32nd in both points and yards allowed — despite the team increasing its win total to five. The Panthers probably will still be on the lookout for EDGE help, but they have a hopeful hidden gem in Jones.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.
The Panthers love to sign ex-Vikings!