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Carolina Panthers News & Rumors

S Julian Blackmon To Visit Panthers

March 24th, 2025 at 8:55am CST by Adam La Rose

One of the top safeties still on the market has a visit lined up. Julian Blackmon will meet with the Panthers today, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Blackmon played out his rookie contract from 2020-23, operating as a starter for the Colts over that span. He profiled as one of the most accomplished (and youngest) safeties available in free agency last spring, but the position’s market did not produce much in the way of lucrative commitments. In April, Blackmon re-signed with Indianapolis on a one-year deal.

The 26-year-old played 16 games in 2024, delivering another productive campaign along the way. Blackmon posted three interceptions (tied for the team lead), 86 tackles and one fumble recovery while remaining a key member of the Colts’ secondary. That unit has seen a pair of major changes in free agency, however, with safety Camryn Bynum and cornerback Charvarius Ward each agreeing to multi-year deals with Indianapolis. Those investments could lead Blackmon elsewhere during his second stint on the open market.

Carolina has already added Tre’von Moehrig at the safety spot in free agency. The former Raider landed a three-year Panthers contract, and he will be expected to continue his career ascent after posting new personal highs in tackles (104) and pass breakups (10) in 2024. Carolina ranked last in total and scoring defense last season (albeit with a slightly better showing against the pass), so adding further in the secondary despite already having Moehrig would be a feasible approach.

The Panthers retained Nick Scott on the weekend, and he will again be in position to compete for a rotational role on defense as a result. Carolina – a team which lost Xavier Woods on the open market – currently has roughly $17.6MM in cap space, so a Blackmon deal could be affordable if today’s visit were to produce an offer.

Panthers Interested In OLB Mykel Williams?

March 23rd, 2025 at 3:21pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Panthers have not done much to add along the edge so far this offseason. Patrick Jones represents the only free agent signing so far, and while further moves could be coming the draft looms as a means of making a long-term investment.

Carolina owns the No. 8 pick in next month’s draft, and the flashes shown by second-year quarterback Bryce Young and the team’s offense at the end of last season led the team to focus on defensive additions earlier this month. Deals for the likes of safety Tre’von Moehrig along with defensive linemen Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown should help the Panthers improve the league’s worst total and scoring defense from 2024.

With little having taken place on the open market regarding the edge rush group, the likes of Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum will remain key figures in that regard. Jones – who notched a career-high seven sacks last season – will also be counted on to improve Carolina’s 32 sacks from 2024. A number of options will be on the board when the Panthers use their first selection in the draft, though.

With that in mind, Joe Person of The Athletic writes Carolina has a “real interest” in Mykel Williams (subscription required). The Georgia product is one of several edge rushers viewed as strong candidates to be selected in the first round, and he will be among the top options left when Abdul Carter hears his name called (which will no doubt happen before the Panthers are on the clock barring a trade up the order). Williams is among the prospects likely to be considered at No. 8, Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda adds.

A former five-star recruit, Williams’ size (6-5, 260 pounds) and athleticism give him some of the highest upside amongst edge rushers in the 2025 class. He posted 4.5 sacks in each of his first two seasons with the Bulldogs, but a lingering ankle injury limited his production in 2024. Williams recorded five sacks and nine tackles for loss, figures short of what many other Day 1 prospects managed but enough for a second-team All-SEC nod. Still, a top-10 selection will be on the table if Carolina’s interest in him holds through the rest of the pre-draft process.

Pauline’s latest mock draft (along with that of ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.) has the Panthers looking to Georgia with their top pick but instead selecting hybrid linebacker/edge rusher Jalon Walker. He will be worth watching closely as Carolina continues to line up top-30 visits over the coming days, but the same is also true of Williams.

NFC South Notes: Visits, Saints, Legette

March 22nd, 2025 at 10:29pm CST by Adam La Rose

With the Combine in the books and Pro Days taking place, top-30 visits are currently a key aspect of the pre-draft process. Several notable prospects have already met with prospective teams, and that will continue over the coming days and weeks.

Shemar Stewart is one of many highly-regarded edge rushers in the 2025 class, and he impressed at the Combine. The Texas A&M product likely helped his stock in the process, and he recently met with the Falcons, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Adding along the edge would be a logical move on Atlanta’s part after the team ranked 31st in sacks last season.

2024 trade acquisition Matt Judon remains unsigned, and he could very well depart on the open market. The Falcons added a veteran in the form of Leonard Floyd, but a long-term investment with the 15th overall pick in April’s draft would not come as a surprise. After totaling only 4.5 sacks in three college seasons, questions loom about Stewart’s lack of production, but the 6-5, 267-pounder is viewed as having considerable upside based on his size and athleticism.

Beginning with more visits, here are some other NFC South notes:

  • Both the Falcons and Saints have lined up meetings with offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr., Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. The Oregon product operated as the team’s full-time left tackle starter for each of the past two seasons, and he could operate as a first-team option at either tackle spot at the NFL level. The 2025 class is not seen as being strong at the OT position, but Conerly is among the prospects routinely labeled as a first-rounder.
  • New Orleans has also met with cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., per Wilson. The East Carolina product entered the season with high expectations, but an ACL tear ended his campaign in September. Revel continues to make progress in his recovery, and he is expected to be cleared in time for the summer. That should help his draft stock to an extent, and the Saints (having lost Paulson Adebo in free agency) will not be the only team to host Revel.
  • Xavier Legette missed only one game as a rookie, but the Panthers wideout dealt with a number of ailments along the way. The first-rounder underwent foot surgery after the campaign, general manager Dan Morgan said (via ESPN’s David Newton). No procedure took place on his wrist despite the lingering issues it caused in 2024, though. Head coach Dave Canales said he is unsure if Legette will be cleared in time for OTAs (h/t Joe Person of The Athletic), but being at full strength at least in time for training camp can be expected.
  • Cedrick Wilson is one of many Saints who has worked out a restructured deal this offseason. The veteran wideout agreed to a pay cut, as detailed by Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. Wilson was due $2.9MM in 2025, but he will now receive $1.17MM with $342K guaranteed. The 29-year-old – who made 20 catches in his debut Saints campaign – is a pending 2026 free agent.
  • Another defender the Falcons have met with (along with Stewart and safety Nick Emmanwori) is cornerback Will Johnson. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports Johnson has visited Atlanta, a team which already has A.J. Terrell in the fold and re-signed Mike Hughes on a three-year deal last week. Johnson earned third-team All-American honors in 2024, cementing his status as one of the top corner in the 2025 class. He will generate considerable interest as the pre-draft process continues.
  • New Orleans recently became Velus Jones‘ latest team. The former Bears draftee did not develop as hoped in Chicago, with a position change (from receiver to running back) proving to be short-lived. The 27-year-old briefly switched back to WR upon joining the Panthers late in 2024, but he will find himself in the backfield this offseason. Triplett’s colleague Nick Underhill notes the Saints view Jones as a running back. It is at that position that he will therefore compete for a roster spot this summer.

Panthers Re-Sign S Nick Scott

March 22nd, 2025 at 3:43pm CST by Ely Allen

After reports earlier today that free agent safety Nick Scott was considering offers from his former team and a mystery bidder, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tells us that the Panthers will be re-signing the veteran safety. Scott will be back in Carolina on a one-year deal.

A former seventh-round pick in 2019, Scott saw the most defensive responsibility during his four years in Los Angeles. This culminated in a 2022 season in which he started all 16 of his game appearances while compiling career highs in total tackles (86) and interceptions (2). This big performance in a contract year led to Scott inking a three-year, $12MM deal with the Bengals in 2023, but he only started 10 of his 17 appearances in his first season in Cincinnati before getting cut.

He quickly caught on with the Panthers on a one-year, $1.29MM contract. In Carolina, he was intended to play a backup role to Xavier Woods and Jordan Fuller. Scott saw an increased role, though, when Fuller went down with an injury, including a four-week stretch in which he didn’t miss a defensive snap. Unfortunately for Scott, a hamstring injury resulted in a nearly two-month stay on injured reserve, and Scott exclusively saw special teams work following his late-season return from IR.

With Woods signing a two-year, $10MM deal with the Titans and Fuller departing in free agency for Atlanta, Scott should be able to slide into a starting role again. Carolina also signed former Raiders safety Tre’von Moehrig to a three-year, $51MM deal which suggests that he’ll occupy the other starting spot.

Demani Richardson, an undrafted rookie last season out of Texas A&M, should push for a big role, as well. Richardson was pushed into his first two career starts when Scott was placed on IR last season, and in the three games that saw Scott relegated to only special teams snaps, Richardson was tabbed as the starter and played nearly every defensive snap in the three contests. The former UDFA could end up competing with Scott for a significant role in the secondary.

The familiarity of both Richardson and Scott will be crucial for a team that is replacing two starters. Combined with Moehrig, the Panthers will hope to see some improvement to the secondary in 2025.

S Nick Scott Considering Offer From Panthers, Mystery Team

March 22nd, 2025 at 11:12am CST by Ben Levine

The Panthers have already made one notable move to shore up their secondary, as the team inked Tre’von Moehrig to a lucrative contract. Despite the addition, the team is still considering a reunion with a key 2024 contributor.

According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, safety Nick Scott is considering an offer to return to the Panthers. Joe Person of The Athletic backs this report, noting that the Panthers “are interested” in bringing the veteran back to Carolina.

Wilson notes that Scott is also considering an unnamed team in a move that would reunite the player with a “former coach.” While Wilson is playing coy with this report, there are two obvious candidates. The Falcons would offer Scott a chance to reunite with current head coach Raheem Morris, who was the defensive coordinator when the safety was on the Rams. The Colts could also be an option after the team added former Bengals DC Lou Anarumo for the same role.

A former seventh-round pick, Scott saw more defensive responsibility during his four years in Los Angeles. This culminated in a 2022 season where he started all 16 of his appearances while compiling 86 tackles and two interceptions. He inked a three-year deal with the Bengals in 2023 and started 10 of his 17 appearances that season before getting cut.

He quickly caught on with the Panthers, where he was intended to play a backup role to Xavier Woods and Jordan Fuller. Scott saw an increased role when Fuller went down with an injury, including a four-week stretch where he didn’t miss a defensive snap. A hamstring injury resulted in a nearly two-month stay on IR, and Scott exclusively saw special teams work following his late-season return.

Woods and Fuller are now out the door, although Moehrig’s three-year, $51MM deal suggests he’ll soak up a lot of those lost snaps. Demani Richardson got an extended look at the position in 2025, and the former UDFA could end up competing with Scott for a significant role in the secondary.

NFC South Contract Details: Deablo, Hughes, Rozeboom, Jackson

March 18th, 2025 at 11:02pm CST by Ely Allen

As we continue to see new details come out for contracts on recent free agency deals, we’ll attempt to corral some of the more important pieces of information here. Specifically, here are some coming from two teams out of the NFC South:

  • Divine Deablo, LB (Falcons): Two years, $14MM. The contract, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, includes $7.66MM of guaranteed money. $6.66MM, including a $6MM signing bonus, is guaranteed at signing, with the remaining $660K coming from his 2025 base salary of $1.66MM. His 2026 base salary of $5.66MM has $1MM guaranteed for injury, which will convert to a full guarantee on the fifth day of the 2026 new league year. Deablo can also earn per game active roster bonuses of $20K for a potential, two-season total of $680K.
  • KhaDarel Hodge, WR (Falcons): Two years, $5.5MM. Per Wilson, the deal has a $6MM maximum value and includes $2.51MM in guarantees including a signing bonus of $1.25MM. The remaining $1.26MM of guarantees is Hodge’s 2025 base salary. Like Deablo, Hodge also has a $20K per game active roster bonus for 2026. Unlike Deablo, his 2025 per game active roster bonus is only $15K. Hodge can also earn an additional $500K annual incentive based on playing time and catches.
  • Mike Hughes, CB (Falcons): Three years, $18MM. Wilson tells us that Hughes’ new deal has $9.64MM guaranteed at signing including a $5MM signing bonus. The remaining guarantees are comprised of his 2025 ($1.32MM) and 2026 ($3.32MM) base salaries. Hughes’ per game active roster bonus for each year will be $40K.
  • Brady Christensen, OL (Panthers): One year, $2.79MM. Per Wilson, Christensen’s deal is fully guaranteed at signing and includes a signing bonus of $167.5K.
  • Sam Martin, P (Panthers): One year, $1.6MM. According to Wilson, Martin’s deal is fully guaranteed at signing and includes a $345K signing bonus. The contract also includes incentives up to $1.4MM based on punt average, a Pro Bowl selection, and playoff qualification.
  • Christian Rozeboom, LB (Panthers): One year, $2.5MM. Wilson tells us that Rozeboom’s contract includes $1.97MM guaranteed at signing, including a signing bonus of $800K and Rozeboom’s base salary of $1.17MM. Rozeboom can earn $1MM of incentives based on playing time and team performance, and he has a per game active roster bonus of $30K for a potential season total of $510K.
  • Michael Jackson, CB (Panthers): Two years, $10.5MM. Per Wilson, Jackson’s new contract includes $7.7MM of total guarantees with $5.7MM guaranteed at signing. $4MM of the initial guarantees come in the form of a signing bonus, while the remaining $1.7MM will come from cash compensation in 2025. The remaining $2MM of total guarantees comes from Jackson’s 2026 salary and becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2026 new league year. The deal includes $2MM of incentives based on playing time and playoff qualification, and he has a per game active roster bonus of $30K. Lastly, Jackson will receive a workout bonus of $20K in 2025 and $40K in 2026.

NFC Contract Details: Mason, Vikings, Wharton, Panthers, Pack, Bears, Cowboys, Giants, Bucs, Brissett

March 18th, 2025 at 5:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are the details on a few of the more notable NFC contracts agreed to in recent days:

  • Tershawn Wharton, DT (Panthers). Three years, $45.1MM. The former Chris Jones Chiefs sidekick will see $30.25MM fully guaranteed, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Wharton’s 2025 and ’26 base salaries ($1.17MM, $13.45MM) are locked in. While the $45.1MM base value is less than initially reported, sack-, playoff- and Pro Bowl-based incentives make up a $9MM incentive package.
  • Grady Jarrett, DT (Bears). Three years, $42.75MM. While $27.25MM is guaranteed at signing, the Bears are guaranteeing almost all of the ex-Falcon’s 2026 base salary ahead of time. $13MM of Jarrett’s $14.25MM 2026 paragraph 5 pay is locked in, with Wilson adding the other $1.25MM shifts from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee of Day 3 of the ’26 league year. Jarrett is due a $1MM roster bonus on Day 5 of the 2027 league year, representing the Bears’ first true out on this contract.
  • Ben Bredeson, G (Buccaneers). Three years, $22MM. The Bucs are guaranteeing their 2024 O-line signee $12.5MM at signing. A $5.5MM roster bonus is due on Day 5 of the 2026 league year, per Wilson, who adds a $500K roster bonus is due on Day 5 of the ’27 league year.
  • Bobby Brown, DT (Panthers). Three years, $21MM. Of this total, only $6.8MM is guaranteed at signing, per OverTheCap. Brown will see $9.58MM guaranteed in total, with $2.77MM of Brown’s $5.55MM 2026 base salary shifting from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee on Day 3 of the ’26 league year, Wilson adds. A $6MM incentive package is present in the Panthers’ other notable DT deal.
  • Brandon McManus, K (Packers). Three years, $15MM. The veteran kicker’s $5MM signing bonus represents his only at-signing guarantee, though the deal includes what amounts to a guaranteed $1.4MM 2025 base salary as well. ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky also indicates a $1MM roster bonus is in place for 2026. Nothing is guaranteed beyond 2025, however.
  • KaVontae Turpin, WR (Cowboys). Three years, $13.5MM. This is $4.5MM south of the initially reported value. The Cowboys have guaranteed the All-Pro returner $5MM at signing; that comes from a $3.6MM signing bonus and a $1.4MM 2025 base salary, ESPN.com’s Todd Archer tweets. Nothing is guaranteed beyond 2025. After Turpin totaled 420 receiving yards last season, Dallas included a $250K yearly incentive for a 500-yard season, Archer adds. That jumps to $500K for a 700-yard season.
  • Jacoby Brissett, QB (Cardinals). Two years, $12.5MM. This is a nice bump for Brissett, who has played on one-year deals in each of the past four seasons. The nomadic backup/fill-in starter will see $8MM guaranteed, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets.
  • James Hudson, OL (Giants). Two years, $11MM. Hudson will see $5.8MM guaranteed at signing, per OverTheCap. That comes from a signing bonus and a guaranteed 2025 salary; no 2026 Hudson money is locked in.
  • Jordan Mason, RB (Vikings). Two years, $10.5MM. Minnesota is guaranteeing Mason $7.23MM at signing, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes. The former Christian McCaffrey backup will see $2MM of his $4.73MM 2026 base salary fully guaranteed. Incentives on Mason’s deal start at 800 rushing yards in a season, with a $200K bump coming if the former sixth-round pick reaches that number.
  • Roy Robertson-Harris, DL (Giants). Two years, $9MM. Robertson-Harris will see $5.3MM guaranteed at signing, Wilson tweets. The Giants guaranteed the veteran interior D-lineman $1MM of his $3.5MM 2026 base at signing. It would cost the Giants $2.4MM in dead money to move on after one season, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan adds.

Panthers Re-Sign WR David Moore

March 18th, 2025 at 2:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

David Moore will remain in Carolina for 2025. The veteran receiver has agreed to a one-year Panthers deal, the team announced on Tuesday.

Moore began his career with the Seahawks, and he spent time with Panthers head coach Dave Canales during that time. The pair also worked together in 2023, when Canales operated as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator. Moore followed Canales to Carolina last offseason, giving him a familiar face during his rookie head coaching campaign.

As the Panthers looked to field their best combination of receivers during the year, Moore wound up logging five starts and a 55% snap share. That represented the second-largest workload of his career, and 30-year-old produced 351 yards and three touchdowns on 32 receptions. For his career, Moore sports a 14.0 yards-per-catch average.

The former seventh-rounder has experience on special teams, and he will likely spend more time handling third phase duties if Carolina’s other wideouts take on a larger offensive role. Adam Thielen – who has been a focal point in the passing game during his two Panthers seasons – will play in 2025 on a restructured deal. 2024 first-rounder Xavier Legette also figures to see plenty of usage next season.

The Panthers also have veteran special teamer Dan Chisena in place after he re-signed last week, along with Jalen Coker (who flashed potential as an undrafted rookie last year). Carolina could very well look to the draft to add at the receiver position, but Moore will again have a role with the team in 2025.

S Nick Emmanwori Lines Up Pre-Draft Visits

March 18th, 2025 at 1:25pm CST by Adam La Rose

The 2025 draft is not viewed as being deep at the safety spot, but two standouts are firmly in contention to be selected in the first round. One of them is Nick Emmanwori, who has lined up several pre-draft visits.

The South Carolina product will meet with the Falcons in the near future, he announced on Tuesday (h/t Josh Kendall of The Athletic). Atlanta still has 2023 free agent addition Jessie Bates on the books, but Justin Simmons is a free agent. The latter (who did not match his previous level of play with the Broncos during his debut Falcons season) hopes to re-sign, but as expected he has reached the open market.

In the event Simmons departs, adding a starting-caliber safety would become a draft priority. The Falcons (who are set to select 15th overall) are far from the only team line up an Emmanwori visit, though. As Kendall notes, he is also set to meet with the Panthers, Seahawks, Bengals and Dolphins.

Carolina made several splashy additions on defense last week, including a three-year deal for Tre’von Moehrig. The former Raider will look to replace Xavier Woods, who joined the Titans in free agency. Jordan Fuller and Nick Scott are unsigned at this point, and losing both could leave the Panthers in the market for a draft addition at the position (although doing so at No. 8 would come as a surprise).

Cincinnati and Seattle are slated to pick 17th and 18th, respectively. Both teams could stand to improve in the secondary in 2025, and the Bengals in particular will need to emphasize defensive additions via the draft with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins attached to lucrative new deals. Adding Emmanwori in that range could very well be on the table; the latest mock draft from ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Seattle selecting him at No. 18.

Miami has frequently been linked to drafting a safety this spring with Jevon Holland departing on the open market and Jordan Poyer unlikely to be re-signed. Many have pointed to Georgia’s Malaki Starks (the other Day 1 safety prospect in the class) as a logical target as a result. Indeed, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah mocks Starks to the Dolphins at No. 13 with Emmanwori going 24th.

The latter spent three years with the Gamecocks, operating as a full-time starter during that spell. Emmanwori earned all-conference honors in 2024 along with a first-team All-American nod after posting 88 tackles and four interceptions (two of which were returned for touchdowns). He will face high expectations upon arrival in the NFL, and the coming weeks will no doubt include visits with other interested teams.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/12/25

March 12th, 2025 at 10:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are the minor moves from the first day of the 2025 league year:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Yes, a few of these players have graduated from our minor-moves sector, but today’s signing blitz being what it was, they land here. Ford highlights the batch contractually, agreeing (per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter) to a two-year, $4MM deal. Ford played on more than 70% of Cleveland’s special teams snaps over the past two seasons.

Trask will reprise his role as Baker Mayfield‘s backup, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport indicating the former second-round pick is staying on a one-year, $2.79MM contract. Trask and Mayfield competed for the job in 2023, but as was the case with the Drew Lock–Geno Smith battle a year prior, the winner never looked back. Trask will be in place for a fifth Bucs season, having moved from third-stringer during the Tom Brady era to QB2 in the Mayfield years.

Hawkins will stay with the Patriots on a two-year deal worth up to $2.2MM, according to the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed. A 2022 full-time Falcons starter, Hawkins saw Jessie Bates replace him in 2023. The Falcons later waived Hawkins, who ended up on the Chargers in 2023. The Pats used him as a seven-game starter in 2024, when he made 48 tackles (three for loss).

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