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Panthers Add Hendon Hooker To P-Squad

August 28th, 2025 at 8:43am CST by Sam Robinson

Hendon Hooker‘s second chance will come with Carolina. The Panthers are bringing in the recently cut Lions quarterback, adding him to their practice squad.

The team announced the move, which will stash Hooker behind Bryce Young and Andy Dalton — the only two QBs on Carolina’s 53-man roster. The Lions waived Hooker on Tuesday, doing so after Dan Campbell indicated a fresh start was probably necessary after the former third-round pick could not beat out Kyle Allen for the Detroit QB2 job.

Given Hooker’s draft pedigree — as the No. 68 overall pick in 2023 — he stood to earn another opportunity; the Panthers will provide it after waiving two QBs (Jack Plummer, Bryce Perkins) prior to cutdown day. Plummer had spent last season on the Panthers’ P-squad. Plummer finished the season on Carolina’s 53-man roster. As of now, the former UDFA is not with a team.

“Hendon Hooker is a guy that I loved in the process coming out of Tennessee; I had some great meetings with him,” Dave Canales said, via Panthers.com’s Darin Gantt. “He really impressed me as a man, and a really high character guy with a lot of talent. A beautiful motion, big strapping guy who can run.”

Hooker’s pre-draft tour in 2023 included a visit with the Buccaneers during Canales’ one-year stop as Tampa Bay’s OC. The Tennessee-developed prospect, however, was unable to impress despite an extended opportunity with the Lions. Detroit stashed Hooker on its reserve/NFI list in 2023, activating him near the end of that season. After Hooker’s ACL rehab effort, he earned the Lions’ backup job. Near the end of last season, however, the Lions re-signed Teddy Bridgewater — their 2023 backup — and the veteran made a cameo in the No. 1-seeded squad’s divisional-round game. Despite a downgrade to Allen this offseason, the Lions saw Hooker lose a competition to be their backup.

Going unclaimed Wednesday separates Hooker from his third-round contract; he will now be on a practice squad salary. The Panthers will begin to evaluate the 27-year-old passer, who has appeared in three games and attempted nine regular-season passes. During the preseason, however, Hooker committed five turnovers. He was 22 of 40 for 187 yards with no TD passes and three INTs. Hooker, however, shined at Tennessee and crafted a Heisman campaign before suffering the ACL tear in November 2022.

The Lions do not currently have a quarterback on their practice squad, carrying only Allen and Jared Goff at the position.

Panthers Trade WR Adam Thielen Back To Vikings

August 27th, 2025 at 11:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Adam Thielen is returning home. The Panthers have agreed on terms to send the Minnesota native back to the Vikings, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting the deal is done.

Carolina will receive a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-rounder. Minnesota adds Thielen, a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder, according to Schefter, who adds talks between the NFC teams have been serious for a few days. The conditional seventh-rounder the Vikings received becomes a sixth if Thielen is not active for 10 games or not on the 53-man roster for 14, The Athletic’s Joe Person tweets.

The teams had been haggling over trade value this week, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds the Panthers initially asked for a lot in return for the established possession receiver. With terms agreed to, the Vikings are finalizing a revised contract, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero adds.

Thielen rejoins a Vikings team hurting at wide receiver to open the season — to the point the team eyed trade help. Jordan Addison incurred a three-game suspension for a 2024 DUI arrest, while Rondale Moore suffered a season-ending knee injury for a second straight year. Jalen Nailor is also recovering from a hand injury, and Justin Jefferson missed a few weeks because of a hamstring injury sustained early in training camp.

Despite the Vikings cutting Thielen in 2023, veteran reporter Jordan Schultz indicates Kevin O’Connell advocated “strongly” to add a veteran to help. Thielen, 35, fits the bill and has scheme familiarity from his 2022 season in O’Connell’s offense. Prior to that, Thielen played nine seasons in Minnesota. The former rookie-camp tryout body is set to play a 13th NFL season, and he will be asked to help J.J. McCarthy transition to the pros. When addressing the trade, Panthers head coach Dave Canales noted (via ESPN’s David Newton) Thielen never specifically asked to be dealt back to Minnesota.

Nonetheless, Thielen becomes the third receiver the Panthers have traded since October. They dealt Jonathan Mingo to the Cowboys and ended the failed Diontae Johnson experiment before the 2024 deadline. Thielen, who accepted a revised contract this offseason, will be dealt from an offense that added another first-round wideout — Tetairoa McMillan — this year. McMillan leads the way for the Panthers at receiver now, headlining a group featuring Xavier Legette and UDFA talent Jalen Coker. This does strip a proven pass catcher from Bryce Young, but the Panthers have young talent to garner key reps this season.

After two productive seasons in Carolina, Thielen accepted a reworked contract this offseason. The Panthers had him on a one-year, $8.75MM deal ($1.5MM guaranteed). While the rework gave Thielen some guaranteed money for 2025 — the final year of his contract — it also left the door open for a trade. The Panthers will take on $5MM in dead money from moving Thielen, with the figure being split between the 2025 and ’26 seasons.

Thielen tacked on a third 1,000-yard season to his resume in Carolina, being a woeful offense’s top option in 2023. He added a 615-yard year in 2024, doing so despite missing seven games with a hamstring injury. The former Jefferson and Stefon Diggs sidekick ranks third in career Vikings receptions and receiving TDs, sitting fifth in career Minnesota yardage.

Thielen had pointed to 2025 potentially being his NFL finale, and it will now come in his home state. Thielen combined for 24 TD receptions in Jefferson’s first two years. After working with Kirk Cousins for five seasons, Thielen garnered experience with a younger QB in Young; that should help him ahead of McCarthy’s debut campaign.

Minnesota initially had Diggs complementing Thielen, who eclipsed 1,200 yards in 2017 and ’18. Thielen agreed to two Vikings extensions, the second of which a four-year, $64.8MM accord. The Vikes revised that deal in 2022 but cut the accomplished receiver in March 2023, after the sides could not agree on another adjustment.

Thielen then collected a three-year, $25MM deal from the Panthers. While Carolina missed on some 2023 additions, Thielen provided value. After trade rumors emerged at the 2024 deadline, the Panthers circled back to a deal now. The Vikings had added Addison in Round 1 weeks after cutting Thielen. It will be interesting to see that duo work together, with Nailor (414 yards last season) and third-round rookie Tai Felton rounding out what will be one of the NFL’s deepest WR groups once Addison is activated in Week 4.

Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC South

August 27th, 2025 at 4:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers and Saints moves are noted below.

Atlanta Falcons

Signed to practice squad:

Carolina Panthers

Claimed:

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

New Orleans Saints

Claimed:

  • WR Trey Palmer (from Buccaneers), G Xavier Truss (from Broncos)

Signed to practice squad:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed to practice squad:

2025 NFL Waiver Order

August 27th, 2025 at 9:57am CST by Nikhil Mehta

Many of the players cut Tuesday were subject to waivers, giving teams a chance to pick them up (along with the rest of their contract). Teams can claim as many players as they want before the next team gets their remaining targets.

It’s also worth noting that relatively few players are claimed off waivers during final roster cuts each year. Waiver claims will be processed at 11am CT in the following order (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo). In reverse order of the 2024 NFL standings, here is how the waiver priority sits:

  1. Titans
  2. Browns
  3. Giants
  4. Patriots
  5. Jaguars
  6. Raiders
  7. Jets
  8. Panthers
  9. Saints
  10. Bears
  11. 49ers
  12. Cowboys
  13. Dolphins
  14. Colts
  15. Falcons
  16. Cardinals
  17. Bengals
  18. Seahawks
  19. Buccaneers
  20. Broncos
  21. Steelers
  22. Chargers
  23. Packers
  24. Vikings
  25. Texans
  26. Rams
  27. Ravens
  28. Lions
  29. Commanders
  30. Bills
  31. Chiefs
  32. Eagles

Panthers Release WR Hunter Renfrow, Finalize Roster Cuts

August 26th, 2025 at 3:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

With time to spare in advance of today’s deadline, the Panthers have finalized their roster moves to get to 53. Here are Carolina’s Tuesday transactions:

Released:

Waived:

Waived-injured:

Waived via injury settlement:

Placed on IR-designated for return:

Renfrow’s efforts to return to the NFL have been dealt a blow with today’s move. The Clemson product and South Carolina native took a one-year pact in his bid to continue his career after missing all of last season. Renfrow’s pact contained $50K guaranteed, however, and with the Panthers’ other wideouts impressing in camp this release loomed as a possibility. A practice squad deal could be in store in the coming days in this case, but absent an agreement on that front the 29-year-old will seek out a new opportunity.

Carolina was among the teams which announced a list of cuts yesterday in advance of today’s deadline. Among the players waived was quarterback Bryce Perkins. He will be a candidate to sign on the practice squad starting tomorrow (provided no waiver claims are made), but The Athletic’s Joe Person reports Perkins is not in the team’s plans at this point. Roberts, on the other hand, is seen as a taxi squad candidate in the event he clears (h/t Aaron Wilson of KPRC2).

Ray’s IR handling means he will miss at least the first four games of the season. Whereas players moved to IR before today are out for the season, though, Ray is among those eligible to return later in the year. Activating him will count toward Carolina’s allocation of eight for the season whenever he is back in the fold.

Panthers To Release DT Shy Tuttle

August 26th, 2025 at 10:56am CST by Sam Robinson

Shy Tuttle found himself on Carolina’s roster bubble this month, moving there after a two-season run as a Panthers starter. But the team made significant investments at defensive tackle this offseason.

As a result, Tuttle is out. The Panthers are releasing the veteran D-lineman, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. With Carolina adding Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown in free agency, Tuttle will hit the market at an inopportune time.

The Panthers had aimed even higher at DT this offseason, making an aggressive pursuit of Milton Williams. While Carolina bowed out after New England swooped in with a monster offer, Wharton and Brown were each in PFR’s top 50 this year. The Panthers also have Derrick Brown returning after he missed almost all of the 2024 season.

Even with Carolina overhauling its DT corps from 2024, the team refrained from releasing Tuttle in the spring. But the Panthers did give the six-year veteran a pay cut. Tuttle had been on a three-year, $19.5MM deal — one agreed to in 2023, Ejiro Evero‘s first offseason as Panthers DC — but the 2025 reduction brought a one-year, $3MM arrangement ($450K guaranteed).

The Panthers have three void years on this contract, which will lead to a notable dead money charge. The Panthers will see $3.33MM in 2025 dead money, with another $3MM-plus being set to hit the books in 2026.

Tuttle, 29, has been a starter for the past four seasons. He worked alongside David Onyemata from 2021-22 with the Saints, who bid farewell to both DTs during the 2023 offseason. Tuttle cashed in via his Panthers agreement and started 32 games for the team over the past two seasons. He batted down eight passes in that span, giving him 19 for his career. Pro Football Focus, however, graded Tuttle 108th overall at the position — a bottom-15 mark among DT regulars — as the Panthers sunk to last place defensively.

Vikings Contacting Panthers About WR Adam Thielen

August 25th, 2025 at 9:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

TODAY, 9:40pm: The two sides continue to discuss a potential Thielen trade, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. However, the Vikings and Panthers continue to disagree on compensation. At the very least, it sounds like they’ve overcome any financial concerns that may have been holding up a deal.

FRIDAY, 1:18pm: Panthers head coach Dave Canales has confirmed no serious trade discussion have taken place yet on this front, and The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports finances represent a barrier to any deal being finalized. The deadline for roster cuts is Tuesday afternoon, and it would come as no surprise if a resolution one way or the other were to be in place by then.

10:33am: The Vikings are known to be among the teams seeking a receiver addition in time for Week 1. An Adam Thielen reunion has been named as something to watch for, and efforts to make one happen are indeed underway.

[RELATED: Vikings Send Harrison Phillips To Jets]

Minnesota has contacted Carolina about a Thielen trade, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Nothing is imminent at this time, per Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune. Nevertheless, this will be a situation to monitor closely over the coming days.

The Vikings’ skill-position group has largely remained the same compared to last season, but their receiver depth chart has been dealt a number of blows recently. Rondale Moore will miss the season due to a knee injury, and projected No. 3 wideout Jalen Nailor is dealing with a hand ailment. Jordan Addison is set to reprise his role as WR2 when on the field, but he will miss the first three weeks of the campaign due to suspension.

While Justin Jefferson is at full strength (after dealing with a hamstring injury earlier in training camp), Minnesota could stand to add help at the position for the early portion of the 2025 campaign. Third-round rookie Tai Felton is in place to handle at least a part-time role on offense – especially until Addison returns – but a more established option would no doubt be welcomed by the Vikings. As such, Thielen represents a logical trade target.

The former UDFA joined Minnesota in 2013, and he began establishing himself as a valued member of the team one year later. Thielen played with the Vikings for nine seasons, earning two consecutive Pro Bowl nods during that span. A downturn in production helped inform Minnesota’s decision to release Thielen in 2023.

The Minnesota State alum signed with the Panthers in free agency and recorded the third 1,000-yard campaign of his career during his first season with the team. Thielen was limited to 10 games last year, although he still managed to operate as a full-time starter. Thought was given to retirement after the season, but the 35-year-old will suit up for at least one more campaign.

As things stand, that will consist of a third Panthers season. Carolina has invested first-round picks at the receiver spot in consecutive years, though (Xavier Legette, Tetairoa McMillan), and 2024 UDFA Jalen Coker flashed potential as a rookie. The Panthers also have veteran Hunter Renfrow in position to return to NFL action; he could replace Thielen’s slot production in the event of a trade.

Thielen has one year remaining on his contract and is owed a base salary of $6.25MM for 2025. The Vikings currently have over $30MM in cap space, although that figure will soon change once roster cuts are made. Still, finances should not be an insurmountable challenge if an agreement is reached regarding a trade.

Panthers Release K Matthew Wright, Waive 17

August 25th, 2025 at 4:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Panthers settled their kicker situation and halved their quarterback depth chart. Here are the first wave of Carolina cuts ahead of Tuesday’s roster-setting deadline:

Released:

Waived:

The Wright release leaves rookie UDFA Ryan Fitzgerald as the only kicker on Carolina’s roster. Making a career as a fill-in kicker (save for a full-season 2022 Jaguars stop), Wright has kicked for six teams in games. This was the veteran specialist’s second Panthers stop; he filled in for Eddy Pineiro for a game during the 2023 season.

The Panthers did not re-sign Pineiro this offseason; as of now, they are planning to go with Fitzgerald, a Florida State alum part of the team’s priority free agent class this year. Dave Canales said recently the Panthers were still looking around at kicker. They are a team to watch regarding a late addition — via the waiver wire or free agency. It should be noted Pineiro, the Panthers’ three-year option who is the third-most accurate kicker in NFL history, remains available.

Perkins and Plummer brought the Panthers’ QB count to four; now, only Bryce Young and Andy Dalton are rostered. One of the QBs figures to receive a look for the practice squad, but the Panthers will have other options to look at as P-squad candidates following the other 31 teams’ cuts. Teams are seeing an early preview of who will be available today, as dozens are being released around the league. Perkins only signed with the Panthers last week; Plummer spent most of last season on Carolina’s practice squad, making him a more realistic candidate to land there.

Panthers, Taylor Moton Agree To Extension

August 22nd, 2025 at 10:51pm CST by Adam La Rose

Taylor Moton‘s tenure in Carolina is set to continue beyond the coming season. The ninth-year right tackle has agreed to an extension, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

This new Panthers accord – which is now official – is two years in length and is worth $44MM, Moton’s agents informed Schefter. $40MM of that figure is guaranteed. Moton was entering a contract year, but he is now on the books through 2027.

Prior to today’s news, Moton was on course to carry a 2025 cap charge of over $31MM. The Panthers maintained a level of comfort with that figure remaining intact, but an extension always loomed as a means of reducing it while ensuring no free agent departure could take place next spring. Moton saw his ironman streak come to an end in 2024 with three missed games, but he has remained an anchor up front since his second year in the NFL.

Moton, who just turned 31, has been consistent not only in terms of availability but also performance during his Carolina tenure. With the exception of 2022, he has ranked between 13th and 23rd in terms of PFF grade amongst offensive tackles every year during his time as a starter. The Panthers will aim for a continuation of that run over the near term by means of their latest investment up front.

Carolina added a pair of starting guards via free agency last offseason by signing Robert Hunt (five years, $100MM) and Damien Lewis (four years, $53MM). Those big-ticket deals came about with left tackle Ikem Ekwonu on his rookie pact and Moton attached to his $17MM-per-year extension. A raise – coupled with a notable guarantee, although the structure of the contract is not yet known – has been authorized to ensure stability at the tackle spots. That will especially be true if Ekwonu’s desire for a new Carolina deal is met.

In any case, 2025 will see the same starting unit up front for Carolina. Ekwonu and Moton will spend a fourth season together, with Lewis and Hunt manning the guard spots. Austin Corbett won out this summer’s competition with Cade Mays, meaning he will retain his starting role at center. Continuity along the O-line will be a key factor in what the team hopes will be continued development from third-year quarterback Bryce Young in 2025.

At $22MM, the average annual value of his deal moves Moton into a tie with the recently-extended Zach Tom in terms of yearly compensation at the right tackle position. Only Lane Johnson ($25MM) and Penei Sewell ($28MM) are attached to a higher figure at that spot. If Moton can maintain his level of play over the course of his third contract, this latest commitment on the part of the Panthers will likely prove to be worthwhile.

NFC South Notes: Bucs, Tuttle, Falcons

August 22nd, 2025 at 4:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jason Licht managed to stick around to make the Tom Brady signing despite the Buccaneers missing six straight playoff brackets to start his GM tenure. Licht said (via The Athletic’s Dan Pompei) he feared he would be fired after starting 27-53 during his first five years. But the Bucs gave him a five-year extension in summer 2019. In his sixth draft as Bucs GM, Licht chose Devin White fifth overall. The high-end linebacker prospect flashed early and earned an All-Pro nod, but a penchant for freelancing led the Bucs to bench him — after a trade request amid a pursuit of a top-five ILB contract. Licht now admits White would have been “off my board” had he received a do-over, indicating the off-ball LB’s Tampa Bay stay was “too much about him.”

Licht also missed on first-rounders Vernon Hargreaves, O.J. Howard and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka from 2016-21, but the Bucs’ drafts during the late 2010s through the 2020 virtual event helped form their Super Bowl LV core. As for White, he washed out of Philly after signing a one-year deal worth $4MM. He did not play a down for the Super Bowl LIX champions last season; after a stop in Houston, White rejoined Brady in Las Vegas (on a one-year, $1.17MM deal with no guarantees) this offseason.

Here is the latest from the NFC South:

  • Shy Tuttle started 32 Panthers games from 2023-24, but the team both added reinforcements via free agency and has seen Derrick Brown return from a season-altering injury. The Panthers signed Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown to play up front alongside Derrick Brown, leaving Tuttle without a defined role. Tuttle is on Carolina’s roster bubble, per The Athletic’s Joe Person, who has Cam Jackson and A’Shawn Robinson — one of many ex-Rams on Ejiro Evero‘s third Panthers defense — making the team as backups over Tuttle. The Panthers would take on $6.56MM (spread over two years) by releasing Tuttle, who has made 65 career starts.
  • The Panthers should also be monitored for potential late-summer adds at inside linebacker and cornerback, Person notes. Carolina cut Josey Jewell after one season and has not found a home yet. Ex-Ram Christian Rozeboom is in place to start alongside 2024 third-rounder Trevin Wallace. At corner, the Panthers have Michael Jackson and Chau Smith-Wade set to play regular roles alongside Jaycee Horn. The Panthers used their No. 1 waiver priority to claim three CBs last August; even with a lesser priority spot, more moves to bolster their defense could be coming Wednesday.
  • Falcons swing tackle Storm Norton is expected to miss at least six weeks after undergoing ankle surgery this week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes. Norton re-signed on a two-year, $3MM deal this offseason. More significantly, the Falcons are without starting RT Kaleb McGary due to a leg injury. McGary will miss time, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, but the nature of the injury (and the recently extended player’s expected absence length) are not yet known. McGary signed a two-year, $30MM extension ($28.48MM fully guaranteed) during training camp. Elijah Wilkinson has seen more time at guard in recent years, but the ex-Broncos swing tackle took over at RT after McGary was carted off, per Falcons.com’s Tori McElhaney. An outside addition should probably not be ruled out, but McGary’s timetable will be key on that end.
  • The Saints hired former center LeCharles Bentley as a personnel and performance consultant. Bentley, who made the Pro Bowl at two positions (center, guard) during his Saints rookie-contract stay in the early 2000s, has been training O-linemen during offseasons for many years. The four-year Saints starter who suffered a career-ending injury shortly after signing with the Browns in 2006, Bentley has assisted with film study, at practice and in the weight room thus far, according to Saints.com’s John DeShazier. The 45-year-old staffer’s four Saints seasons doubled as Mickey Loomis‘ first four as GM.
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