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Austin Corbett

Austin Corbett Wins Panthers’ C Competition

August 11th, 2025 at 1:31pm CST by Adam La Rose

Austin Corbett will remain a starter during his fourth Panthers season. Head coach Dave Canales announced on Monday Corbett has won the team’s center competition.

Corbett joined Carolina on a three-year, $26.25MM deal in 2022. He managed to remain healthy during his debut Panthers season, but injuries limited the 29-year-old to a total of only nine contests across the past two seasons. A one-year deal was worked out to allow for Corbett to remain in place this campaign.

The Panthers also retained Cade Mays this offseason, though, setting up a training camp competition between he and Corbett. The two alternated time with the first-team offense during camp practices. Canales aimed to have a decision in place before Carolina’s upcoming joint practices with Houston, though (h/t Joe Person of The Athletic). That has proven to be the case with today’s call being made.

“I thought Cade did a fantastic job orchestrating the group when he was out there, getting his snaps off on time, moving people in the run game, anchoring the pass,” Canales said when speaking to the media (via Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper). “It was a really close competition and I think Corbett just kinda brings a level of leadership that just kind of edged him out.”

A healthy season from Corbett would be key for his market value next spring. It would also allow for continuity up front in Carolina, of course. The team’s 2024 offensive line setup with left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, left guard Damien Lewis, Corbett at center, right guard Robert Hunt and right tackle Taylor Moton will remain intact this fall. Improved play from quarterback Bryce Young is a central target for the Panthers in 2025, and better pass protection will be key in his development.

Mays filled in for Corbett last season after the latter went down. A sixth-round pick in 2022, Mays has 38 appearances and 15 starts to his name. Given today’s decision, he will now prepare for a backup gig at center as well as guard with the potential to see playing time in the event of injuries along the interior.

NFC South Notes: Bridgewater, Bucs, Pitts, Falcons, Panthers, C, Saints

August 8th, 2025 at 11:40am CST by Sam Robinson

The 2020 free agent class featured a few viable starting quarterbacks, helping the Buccaneers transition from the erratic Jameis Winston. Tampa Bay was closely connected to two of the available options — Tom Brady and Teddy Bridgewater. Reporting at the time made it fairly clear Bridgewater — who had spent the previous two seasons as Drew Brees‘ Saints backup — was the Bucs’ second choice behind Brady. Upon circling back to the veteran QB this week, Jason Licht confirmed (via ESPN.com’s Jenna Laine) that was the case.

Licht said he mentioned this to Bridgewater upon the unretired passer joining to the Bucs — his eighth NFL team — this week. The Bucs landed Brady, beating out the Chargers, who were losing Philip Rivers to the Colts. Bridgewater ended up doing nearly as well as Brady on the contract front, scoring a three-year, $63MM Panthers deal. Though, as Carolina cycled through passers during the Matt Rhule years, Bridgewater wound up in Denver — on a sizable pay cut — in 2021 via trade. He joins Kyle Trask as a Baker Mayfield backup option.

Here is the latest from the NFC South:

  • Although the Falcons completed a notable extension this week — with right tackle Kaleb McGary, a recent report indicated they did not have anything brewing with Kyle Pitts. When asked about the possibility of an extension, GM Terry Fontenot (via The Athletic’s Josh Kendall) did not discuss the matter. While Fontenot said the Falcons “love” where Pitts is ahead of his fifth season, they might need to see more from a player who has underwhelmed from the No. 4 overall draft slot. It would stand to reason Fontenot would be interested in a Pitts payday, seeing as he made the tight end his first draft pick as GM, but the inconsistent pass catcher has battled injuries — including an offseason foot issue he looks to have recovered from — and has not come close to matching his 1,000-yard rookie season. That said, Pitts (25) could position himself as a top-tier 2026 free agent with a solid contract year.
  • Staying with the Falcons, they are pitting Jordan Fuller against third-round rookie Xavier Watts in a competition to replace Justin Simmons. Fuller and Watts have alternated with Atlanta’s starters, per ESPN.com’s Marc Raimondi, alongside Jessie Bates at safety. Even if Watts cannot beat out Fuller — a former Raheem Morris Rams charge — for the job, the Falcons are expecting him to log extensive rookie-year playing time. The team traded up five spots for Watts, a two-time All-American at Notre Dame.
  • Jamal Agnew did not see any game action last season, having spent 2024 recovering from a broken leg sustained in Week 17 of the 2023 season. Agnew wound up on the Steelers’ practice squad but did not suit up with the team. The Falcons signed him to a one-year, $2.5MM deal in March, only guaranteeing $400K. Still, the veteran receiver/return man is expected to make the Falcons’ 53-man roster, Kendall notes. While Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud and KhaDarel Hodge are locks, Kendall pegs Agnew as a “strong bet” for the fifth spot. Adept at both kick and punt returns, Agnew — a 2022 Pro Bowler in Jacksonville — figures to be used in this capacity.
  • The Panthers re-signed Austin Corbett in March but also retained Cade Mays via RFA tender. At $3.26MM, the original-round tender brought tougher decisions this year; months later, Mays is in a competition with Corbett to start at center, ESPN.com’s David Newton notes. Corbett and Mays have alternated days with the Panthers’ first team. With Corbett missing 25 games between the 2023 and ’24 seasons, he is having to fend off Mays for the job. The Panthers slid Corbett from guard to center in 2024, having signed Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, and used him as a starter in each game he played. But the ex-Rams Super Bowl starter suffered a biceps tear in October, shutting him down. Mays has made 13 starts since 2023, logging all 495 of his 2024 snaps at center.
  • Julian Blackmon‘s one-year Saints contract is worth slightly less than initially reported. Rather than a $4MM deal, ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell notes the veteran safety signed for $3.17MM. That amount is fully guaranteed.

Panthers Re-Sign C Austin Corbett, TE Tommy Tremble

March 8th, 2025 at 7:25pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Panthers will have plenty of continuity up front in 2025. One day after tendering restricted free agent Cade Mays, the team has ensured Austin Corbett will be in place as well.

The latter agreed to terms on a new contract, the team announced Saturday. Joe Person of The Athletic notes it is a one-year pact. All five starters from Carolina’s 2024 offensive line are now on the books as a result of today’s move, one which comes not longer after it was learned the Panthers were in talks with both of their centers from last year.

Corbett inked a three-year, $26.25MM deal in free agency after emerging as a capable starter during his time with the Rams. The 29-year-old was limited to only five games in 2024, though, and the short-term nature of his latest pact is a reflection of the leverage he lost. Nevertheless, Corbett will be counted on to reprise his starting center gig next season as he looks to rebuild his value.

Pass protection was a major issue during quarterback Bryce Young‘s rookie campaign. The Panthers responded by signing guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis to big-ticket free agent deals. Those two remain on the books, as do tackle starters Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton. As Young looks to build off the promise he showed late in 2024, he will have the same unit in front of him next year.

The Panthers also announced they have reached agreement on a two-year deal with tight end Tommy Tremble. The 2021 third-rounder was on track for free agency with his rookie contract expiring, but he will remain in place. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports the pact includes $8MM guaranteed and has a maximum value of $16MM. Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer adds this deal’s base value is $10.5MM.

Tremble’s snap share hovered around 50% for each of his first three seasons, but it jumped to 69% in 2024. The 24-year-old missed five games (after previously being absent for only one the rest of his career), but he still managed to match his personal mark with 23 catches and set a new career high with 234 yards. If he can continue to provide Carolina with complementary production, Tremble will prove to be a worthwhile short-term investment for the team.

The Panthers entered Saturday with just over $27MM in cap space. These moves will eat into that figure to an extent, but the funds for outside additions – particularly on defense – will be available when the new league starts next week.

Panthers Conducting Extension Talks With Jaycee Horn; Team Communicating With Austin Corbett, Cade Mays

February 25th, 2025 at 2:37pm CST by Adam La Rose

Jaycee Horn is known to be high on the Panthers’ financial to-do list. To no surprise, efforts to work out an extension are underway.

[RELATED: Shaq Thompson To Depart In Free Agency]

Second-year general manager Dan Morgan said on Tuesday (via Joe Person of The Athletic) the Panthers are engaged in talks on a new Horn contract. The former No. 8 pick is currently set to play out his fifth-year option for $12.47MM in 2025. A multi-year accord will check in at a higher rate.

Horn was limited to only three games as a rookie, and he made just six appearances during the 2023 campaign. In his two other Carolina seasons, though, he managed to serve as a full-time starter on a team which has been lacking in impact defenders. The South Carolina product earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2024 after posting 13 pass deflections and a pair of sacks.

While Horn’s coverage statistics included career-worst figures in touchdowns (six) and passer rating (92.7) allowed last year, he is a strong candidate for a lucrative pact provided the Panthers are confident he can remain healthy. Less proven options are on track to fill other roles in the secondary, but Horn (25) can be retained through his prime on a new pact. While the top of the cornerback market – which includes five players averaging at least $20.1MM per season – should not be in reach, a notable second contract will be in play if the sides can make progress in the near future.

As for the Panthers’ offensive line, Morgan and Co. have a number of key decisions to make. Longtime right tackle Taylor Moton is entering the final year of his contract, and none of his $14.3MM roster bonus is guaranteed. The eight-year veteran is slated to carry a cap charge of $31MM, but Morgan noted the team could be willing to keep that figure as is. With a $3MM roster bonus due next month, a restructure or extension could nevertheless be worked out.

Carolina also has to sort out the futures of pending free agents Austin Corbett and Cade Mays. The former recently had his void date pushed back to buy team and player more time to negotiate. Morgan noted (via Person) talks are ongoing with Corbett, who has operated as a starter in Carolina but has been limited to just nine games across the past two years. Mays represents a replacement candidate at center, but as a pending restricted free agent the Panthers will need to work out an extension or commit to a tender shortly. It will be interesting to see how talks go in his case, with the same being true for Horn and the Panthers’ other top priorities in the coming days.

Panthers, C Austin Corbett Push Back Void Date

February 23rd, 2025 at 8:00am CST by Rory Parks

The Panthers have bought themselves a bit more time to determine whether center Austin Corbett will continue his playing career in Charlotte. Per OverTheCap.com, via Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer, player and team have agreed to push the void date on Corbett’s contract to March 11, one day before the start of the 2025 league year.

Corbett, 29, just completed the final season of the three-year, $29.25MM deal he signed with the Panthers in March 2022. He suited up for a full complement of games in his debut Carolina campaign, and his play was mostly in line with his platform-year performance with the Rams in 2021, which is what convinced the Panthers to authorize a notable free agent contract in the first place. 

Unfortunately, Corbett suffered an ACL tear during the 17th and final contest of the 2022 season, which led to missed time the following year. The former Browns draftee briefly returned to action in 2023, but an MCL injury limited him to only four games. Then, in Week 5 of the 2024 slate, Corbett sustained a season-ending biceps tear.

Having played just nine games due to significant injuries in each of the past two seasons, Corbett would not be hitting the open market with any kind of positive momentum if he were to leave the Panthers. And a new contract with Carolina would likely be a modest one, although his familiarity with the offense may be attractive to him as he seeks to rebuild his value. 

From the club’s perspective, a new contract would allow the Panthers to reduce the nearly $8MM dead cap charge they would incur if Corbett’s current deal simply voids. It would also allow them to retain a player who has proven to be a capable blocker when healthy, a player to whom they entrusted the starting center job last spring in the critical second year of QB Bryce Young’s development (Corbett had operated exclusively at right guard in each of his four prior seasons and had never played the pivot at the professional level).

As Kaye notes, the delay of the void date does not guarantee that the two sides will strike a new agreement, though there is clearly at least some interest in a reunion. Even if Corbett does return, however, it would be fair to expect the Panthers to further bolster the center position in the draft and/or free agency. 

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/12/24

October 12th, 2024 at 8:38pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor transactions, including practice squad callups for Week 6:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Panthers C Austin Corbett Out For Season

October 7th, 2024 at 3:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

Injury issues continue to plague Austin Corbett. The seventh-year offensive lineman tore his biceps in Week 5, Panthers head coach Dave Canales announced on Monday. As a result, he is out for the remainder of the campaign.

Corbett remained mainly healthy through the start of his NFL career, and he managed to suit up for all 17 games during his debut Panthers season (2021). In Week 18 of that year, however, he suffered an ACL tear which led to missed time the following campaign. The 29-year-old briefly returned to action in 2023, but an MCL injury once again sidelined him for the long haul and limited him to only four games.

Earlier in his Carolina tenure, Corbett operated as a guard. That position was a point of emphasis for the Panthers this offseason, though, with both Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis landing big-ticket deals on the open market. As a result, Corbett was moved to center ahead of the final year of his contract. That resulted in starts in the middle for each of the team’s first five games this year.

Corbett was charged with one sack and three pressures allowed by PFF in 2024, resulting in a grade of 62.9. That figure marks a rebound from that of last season but it falls short of his best evaluations, including his debut Carolina campaign as well as his time with the Rams. The former second-rounder will now turn his attention to recovery ahead of his next free agent spell, and his market value will of course take a hit given today’s news.

Not much has gone right on offense for the Panthers this year, though the team does rank mid-pack in terms of rushing yards per game (111). Carolina will no doubt remain committed to the ground game with Andy Dalton at quarterback moving forward, but the team’s offensive line will require a change for the rest of the year.

Panthers Move Austin Corbett To C; Brady Christensen In Mix At Position

May 3rd, 2024 at 4:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

Injuries disrupted the Panthers’ guard plans over the past two seasons. The Austin Corbett–Brady Christensen tandem’s two-year run involved a combined four season-ending injuries, and Carolina’s free agency plan ensured neither would be in position to start at guard again.

The team gave Robert Hunt a five-year, $100MM deal and brought in Damien Lewis on a four-year, $53MM pact. The ex-Dolphins and Seahawks blockers are in place at guard, displacing Corbett and Christensen. The Panthers’ release of Bradley Bozeman cleared a path at center, however, and Corbett is the clubhouse leader to commandeer the gig.

“You know, just scrolling in my phone, and here comes free agency, and I said, ‘Oh, there’s a guard,'” Corbett said, via Panthers.com’s Darin Gantt. “And I figured, OK, and then it’s like, ‘Oh, we got another one.’ There you go. Well, I guess it leaves me on the inside. I just talk too much anyway. So it was inevitable. I was going to end up in there at some point in my career.”

Panthers GM Dan Morgan confirmed Corbett is “progressing well” at center. The former Browns second-round pick has been a full-time guard starter dating back to the 2019 season, when the Rams moved him into their lineup following a midseason trade. Corbett, 28, has never made a snap at center in an NFL game. He was a four-year tackle starter (three years at left tackle, one at RT) at Nevada, making this an interesting “best five”-based plan from the Panthers.

Corbett signed a three-year, $26.25MM deal in 2022 — the team’s final Matt Rhule-run offseason — and has $2MM in guaranteed 2024 salary. The seventh-year veteran suffered a torn ACL during the Panthers’ 2022 season finale, leading to a reserve/PUP list stay in 2023. An MCL injury in November of last year shelved Corbett during what became the Panthers worst season in 22 years. Christensen, who sustained a broken ankle in that damaging Week 18 game in New Orleans, completed a successful rehab effort to return by Week 1 of last season. But a biceps injury sidelined the BYU alum for the Panthers’ final 16 games last year.

Moved from tackle to guard in 2022, Christensen has made 24 NFL starts. Morgan confirmed the 2021 third-rounder will see center reps, potentially creating a competition between the two supplanted guards for the pivot role.

Last season marked a rough year for Carolina’s O-line, with neither of the team’s tackles (Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton) playing well. With both tackles back and the Hunt-Lewis duo entrenched, the Panthers only have room for one of the two benched guards in their 2024 lineup.

“I think he’s progressing well, and I think Dave (Canales) would say the same thing,” Morgan said (via SI.com) of Corbett. “I think him, along with Brady Christensen, you know, he’s been getting some snaps at center. You know, we feel like he has a lot of potential there as well. We feel good about it, but we are always going to be looking to challenge our roster and get better and create that competition. We’re not going to leave anything — we’re not going to close the door on bringing somebody else in as well.”

Austin Corbett Lands On IR; Panthers G To Miss Rest Of Season

November 22nd, 2023 at 11:15am CST by Sam Robinson

Austin Corbett spent much of this year rehabbing an ACL tear. The veteran Panthers guard returned before the midseason point, coming off the reserve/PUP list. But he will finish the season with another injury designation.

The Panthers placed Corbett on IR on Wednesday. Another knee malady will sideline him. Corbett sustained another injury to his left knee, though Panthers.com’s Darin Gantt confirmed this issue is not ACL-related. But Corbett’s season is done. The veteran blocker indicated he suffered an MCL injury.

Corbett’s 2023 campaign will wrap after four games. While the sixth-year guard spent most of this year rehabbing the ACL tear he suffered in Week 18 of last season, he exited the 2022 slate having not missed a start since 2019. The Panthers have played most of this season without their starting left guard, Brady Christensen.

The Panthers gave Corbett a three-year, $26.25MM deal in March 2022. This led Corbett from Los Angeles to Charlotte; a productive Rams tenure created a midlevel market for the former Browns second-round pick. Corbett started 57 consecutive games from 2019-22, becoming a key cog for two playoff-bound Rams teams in that span. Moved into Los Angeles’ lineup shortly after an in-season trade in 2019, Corbett later started all four Rams postseason games during the team’s 2021 Super Bowl LVI charge.

Carolina did not play a game with both its starting guards this season, with Christensen going down with a biceps injury in Week 1. The Panthers did not activate Corbett until Oct. 24, completing an odyssey that began in January. Christensen suffered a broken ankle in that damaging season finale in New Orleans but was ready to go by training camp. Corbett, 28, suffering a second injury to his left knee will make him a cut candidate in 2024.

Corbett is tied to a $10MM cap number next season, the final year of his contract. No guarantees remain on the deal. With the Corbett-Christensen tandem assembled during Matt Rhule‘s run as head coach, it would make sense to see Carolina explore alternatives — especially after Corbett’s recent run of bad luck. Then again, the Panthers retained their offensive line coach — James Campen — to work with Frank Reich. And Reich’s status, despite being hired this year, is very much in doubt for 2024.

Carolina also placed cornerback Dicaprio Bootle on IR. Picked up this summer after the Chiefs waived him, Bootle started in two Panthers games and played in eight for the 1-9 team.

Panthers Place S Jeremy Chinn, OLB Yetur Gross-Matos On IR, Activate G Austin Corbett

October 24th, 2023 at 4:27pm CST by Adam La Rose

Coming out of their bye week, the Panthers have made a number of injury-related moves. The team announced on Tuesday that safety Jeremy Chinn and pass rusher Yetur Gross-Matos have been placed on injured reserve. The same is true of tight end/special teamer Giovanni Ricci.

As a result of the move, all three players will be forced to miss at least four weeks. In Chinn’s case, a quadriceps injury is expected to keep him sidelined for longer than that, so today’s move comes as no surprise. The 25-year-old is in the final year of his contract, but the injury likely took him off the board with respect to trade interest from outside teams.

Gross-Matos is dealing with a hamstring injury which has been deemed serious enough to interrupt an encouraging season. The former second-rounder has posted 2.5 sacks through six games, only one short of matching his career high. He has added three tackles for loss and six quarterback pressures despite seeing a drop in playing time compared to last year. Starters Brian Burns and Justin Houston will be counted on more heavily in the edge department given Gross-Matos’ absence. Ricci has a shoulder injury, per ESPN’s David Newton.

In more positive news, the Panthers activated guard Austin Corbett from the PUP list. This marked the final week of his 21-day return window, so today’s move was needed to avoid having him revert to season-ending IR. The 28-year-old suffered an ACL tear in Week 18 last year, and has been rehabbing ever since. His return will be welcomed on an offensive line which has used three different starters at both left and right guard this season. Corbett indicated (via Newton) that he may not suit up for Week 8 despite being brought back onto the roster. That move will did use up any of Carolina’s seven remaining IR activations, but bringing back Chinn, Gross-Matos and Ricci will.

To fill the other roster spots opened up by the IR moves, the Panthers have signed edge rusher Luiji Vilain off the Vikings’ practice squad. The 25-year-old Canadian has made four regular season appearances since signing in Minnesota as a UDFA. Likewise, Carolina has added offensive lineman Brett Toth from the Eagles’ taxi squad. The latter has made one start across his 17 total games played, all with Philadelphia.

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