Carolina Panthers free agency live updates: Diontae Johnson acquired from Steelers

Mike Kaye, Alex Zietlow
·8 min read
2

The Carolina Panthers have a lot of ground to make up on Tuesday after an eventful Monday full of departures.

The Panthers agreed to trade pass rusher Brian Burns, and they lost linebacker Frankie Luvu and outside linebacker Yetur Gross-Matos to begin the NFL legal tampering period.

While Carolina was able to re-sign cornerback Troy Hill and reach agreements with former Miami Dolphins guard Robert Hunt and former Seattle Seahawks guard Damien Lewis, the losses of the front-seven trio loom large over the start of the wheeling-and-dealing period.

Panthers new head coach Dave Canales, right, listens to Panthers GM Dan Morgan during the introduction of the new coach Thursday morning, Feb. 01, 2024.
Panthers new head coach Dave Canales, right, listens to Panthers GM Dan Morgan during the introduction of the new coach Thursday morning, Feb. 01, 2024.

Here is our Tuesday tracker to keep up-to-date on all the action on Day 2 of the tampering window:

Carolina Panthers in the news Tuesday

8:59 p.m.: The Panthers agreed to terms with wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette on a one year deal, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The Panthers’ preseason acquisition in 2023 showed flashes of brilliance in his lone season in Carolina, where he served as a punt returner and speedy receiver.

7:17 p.m.: A league source confirmed to The Charlotte Observer that the Panthers are trading veteran cornerback Donte Jackson and the No. 178 overall pick (sixth round) to the Pittsburgh Steelers for wide receiver Diontae Johnson and the 240th overall pick (seventh round).

The move addresses one of Carolina’s most dire issues — a lack of a playmaking wide receiver for young quarterback Bryce Young — as Johnson caught 51 passes for 717 yards and five touchdowns in a 2023 season that saw him miss three games and that featured a team with shaky quarterback play. The transaction also gets something in return for Jackson, a CB who the Panthers were reportedly set to release this offseason anyway.

5:20 p.m.: The Panthers have agreed to terms with Broncos linebacker Josey Jewell, a league source confirmed to The Observer. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Jewell will sign a three-year, $22.75 million deal, which includes a $7 million signing bonus.

The 6-foot-2, 236-pound linebacker finished with 108 tackles and three sacks in 16 games played in Denver in 2023. He’s spent all six of his NFL seasons in Denver, which included the 2022 season, when that defense was led by current Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Jewell will fill a Carolina need at inside linebacker after Frankie Luvu agreed to terms with the Commanders on Monday and after veteran ILB Shaq Thompson spent 15 weeks of 2023 on the sideline with an injury.

4:50 p.m.: The Panthers have lost another notable defender to the NFC East.

According to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, the Washington Commanders have reached an agreement with Jeremy Chinn on a one-year deal that is worth up to $5.1 million. Chinn, 26, was a second-round pick of the Panthers in 2020.

Chinn spent four seasons moving around the defense in Carolina. Last season, under defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Chinn played an inconsistent big nickel role.

Panthers safety Jeremy Chinn, center, celebrates with teammates after sacking Minnesota’s quarterback during the game at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 1, 2023 in Charlotte, NC.
Panthers safety Jeremy Chinn, center, celebrates with teammates after sacking Minnesota’s quarterback during the game at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 1, 2023 in Charlotte, NC.

Chinn leaves the Panthers with 324 career tackles, 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 17 pass breakups and 2 defensive touchdowns in 54 career games (50 starts).

Chinn has been a man without a position throughout his career. Washington head coach Dan Quinn will likely look to solve that problem this season.

3:51 p.m.: The Panthers added another big body to their depth chart on Tuesday. The team has reached a contract agreement with defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson, a league source confirmed to The Charlotte Observer.

It’s a three-year, $22.5 million deal, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Robinson previously played for the New York Giants in 2023, but worked with Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero with the Los Angeles Rams from 2020 to 2021.

The 6-foot-4, 330-pound nose tackle will likely be flanked by Pro Bowl defensive end Derrick Brown and defensive lineman Shy Tuttle up front on defense. Robinson, 28, is known for his run-stopping ability.

Last season, the Panthers defense struggled to clog the run against opposing offenses. Robinson can help limit opposing rushing attacks as a big body in the middle. Robinson’s size and background with Evero were clearly appealing to Carolina after losing the like of Burns, Gross-Matos and Luvu in the front seven.

2:29 p.m.: Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, free-agent pass rusher Chase Young is expected to visit the Panthers and the Saints this week. The 2020 defensive rookie of the year played the last season with the Washington Commanders and the San Francisco 49ers and notched 7.5 sacks. The Panthers, with the departures of Brian Burns and Frankie Luvu and Yetur Gross-Matos, are certainly in the market for a pass rusher.

A recap of Monday’s Panthers comings and goings

▪ The Panthers agreed to trade edge rusher Brian Burns to the New York Giants, a league source confirmed. Carolina and New York will swap 2024 fifth-round picks, and the Panthers will receive a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick in exchange for Burns, according to the source.

▪ Former Panther pass rusher Yetur Gross-Matos agreed to a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Carolina Panthers defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, center, runs across the field after recovering a fumble by the San Francisco 49ers during first quarter action at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 9, 2022.
Carolina Panthers defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, center, runs across the field after recovering a fumble by the San Francisco 49ers during first quarter action at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 9, 2022.

▪ Former Panthers inside linebacker Frankie Luvu agreed to a three-year deal with the Washington Commanders, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

▪ The Panthers agreed to terms on a one-year deal with cornerback Troy Hill, according to a league source.

▪ The Panthers agreed to terms on a contract with former Miami Dolphins guard Robert Hunt, a league source confirmed.

▪ Damien Lewis, a free agent interior offensive lineman who has started every game he’s played since being drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2020, also agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the Panthers, a league source confirmed to The Observer. NFL Network had the news first.

▪ The Panthers are expected to move on from safety Vonn Bell this week, according to a league source. Bell will either be cut or traded before his $3 million signing bonus is due Saturday.

Reshuffling roster needs order for Carolina

1. Edge rusher

With Burns headed to the Meadowlands, and Gross-Matos going to the Bay Area, the Panthers have an empty cupboard at pass rusher. DJ Johnson, Amare Barno, Eku Leota and Luiji Vilain make up the no-name bunch at a position that needs a makeover. Marquis Haynes will become a free agent on Wednesday, but he could return as a veteran presence in a room that needs one.

2. Wide receiver

The wide receiver market moved slowly on Monday, which could play into the Panthers’ favor. While Gabe Davis is off the board, some notable names, such as Marquise Brown and Calvin Ridley, remain. The Panther could also elect to upgrade the position through a trade after the Burns swap landed them an extra second-round pick.

Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) catches a pass during the game against the Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, December 16, 2023.
Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) catches a pass during the game against the Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, December 16, 2023.

3. Inside linebacker

The loss of Luvu looms large over Ejiro Evero’s defense. However, the Panthers do have some quality options in free agency. Still, it’s fair to wonder about the future of Shaq Thompson, a longtime locker-room leader coming off a major injury. The Panthers need reinforcements here.

4. Cornerback

With Donte Jackson reportedly on his way out, it was good to see the Panthers re-sign Hill for continuity purposes. Still, Jaycee Horn is the team’s lone proven outside cornerback, and he’s only appeared in 22 games over the past three seasons. Dicaprio Bootle and D’Shawn Jamison are solid depth options with special teams upside, but the Panthers need to attack this need with proven talent in free agency.

5. Safety

The Panthers are electing to move on from Bell after just one year. With Xavier Woods still under contract, the Panthers need to find him a solid tag-team partner in the secondary. There are still plenty of safeties left on the open market, including Justin Simmons and Eddie Jackson.

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, bottom, is tackled by Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods on Thursday, November 10, 2022.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, bottom, is tackled by Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods on Thursday, November 10, 2022.

6. Offensive line

The Panthers still have a major hole to fill at center with Bradley Bozeman on his way out of town. The Hunt and Lewis signings address the need for stability at guard, but more depth in the trenches would be a plus. Look for the Panthers to target a veteran center at some point this week or to target one in the draft. According to multiple league sources, Austin Corbett is likely to be moved to center.

7. Defensive line

Derrick Brown and Shy Tuttle need some help. While LaBryan Ray and Nick Thurman performed admirably as role players last season, the Panthers need some upgraded run support up front. The secondary free-agent market should help in that regard.

8. Tight end

The Panthers watched as the top of market at tight end essentially closed in front of them. While those options might have been too costly for Carolina, the room still needs upgrades, even with Ian Thomas reportedly set to return. The draft might be a better avenue for improved talent, though.