This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Carolina Panthers add Haason Reddick, source says, Denzel Perryman, Morgan Fox to defense
The Carolina Panthers worked quickly in free agency to improve their defense on Wednesday afternoon, securing deals with edge rusher Haason Reddick and middle linebacker Denzel Perryman. Reddick received a one-year deal worth up to $8 million, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter, and Perryman netted a two-year contract, his agency confirmed. Later Wednesday, the Panthers continued their push, securing a deal with defensive end Morgan Fox, his agent told ESPN. Reddick, 26, had a career-high 12.5 sacks -- tied for fourth most in the NFL last season -- after having just 7.5 in his first three seasons. He also had six forced fumbles. He set an Arizona Cardinlas franchise record in a game against the New York Giants in December when he recorded five sacks in a 26-7 victory.
Source: WR Curtis Samuel signing 3-year, $34.5 million deal with Washington Football Team
Former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel is signing a three-year, $34.5 million deal with the Washington Redskins, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday. A second-round draft pick by the Panthers out of Ohio State in 2017, Samuel finally met expectations this past season under offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who took advantage of the speedster's ability to play wideout and running back as he did in college. Samuel had a career-best 77 catches for 851 yards and 41 rushes for 200 yards as Brady used the 24-year-old the way he planned to use running back Christian McCaffrey, who missed 13 games with injuries. Samuel's most impressive stat this past season was a catch rate (79.4%) that led all NFL receivers and was well ahead of his 56.3% rate over the previous three seasons. He also became one of the league leaders on third-down catches for first downs.
NFL free agency is off and running, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2021 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year began March 17, meaning free-agent signings could be made official after that. The first round of the 2021 NFL draft begins April 29 on ESPN. The Carolina Panthers are running the fine balance between looking to upgrade the quarterback position and keeping Teddy Bridgewater happy if he remains the starter in 2021. Much depends on whether Houston decides to trade Deshaun Watson. Regardless, the Panthers enter free agency needing to fill needs at left tackle, both guard spots, tight end and cornerback. They’ve created about $30 million in cap space, but remain adamant they’ll be selective and are more than “one player away" from being a Super Bowl contender.
New York Jets trade QB Sam Darnold to Carolina Panthers for 3 draft picks
Three years after hailing him as a franchise savior, the New York Jets traded Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers on Monday, ending months of intense speculation about their quarterback plans. In return for Darnold, the No. 3 overall draft pick in 2018, the Jets received three picks: a sixth-rounder in the 2021 draft later this month and a second-rounder and fourth-rounder in 2022. In three seasons, Darnold went 13-25 as a starter, with 45 touchdown passes and 39 interceptions. He completed 59.8% of his passes and never finished above 26th in passer rating. He finished as the NFL's lowest-rated passer in 2020 (72.7), 36th out of 36 qualifying quarterbacks. His career passer rating is 78.6, which ranks 39th out of 39 since 2018.
What trading for Sam Darnold means for the Carolina Panthers' future
The Panthers turned to Darnold, giving up a sixth-round pick this year and second- and fourth-round picks in 2022 for a quarterback the Jets had, for all practical purposes, given up on. What does the deal mean for the Panthers? Will it turn them into a playoff contender and allow Darnold to live up to the expectations cast upon him coming out of USC? Let's examine.
NFL's 17-game schedule: Opponents for all 32 teams
NFL owners were granted the ability to expand to 17 games as part of last year's collective bargaining agreement with players. They approved the 17-game schedule, beginning in 2021, on Tuesday at the virtual owners meetings. The league had already approved a scheduling formula for a 17th game, which would include an extra game against a nonconference opponent each year based on standings from the previous season. The season will begin on Thursday night, Sept. 9 and end Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022. The Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and the Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles has been pushed back one week, from Feb. 6 to 13, 2022.
Home: New Orleans, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Washington Football Team, Philadelphia, New York Jets, New England, Minnesota Away: New Orleans, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Dallas, New York Giants, Buffalo, Miami, Arizona, Houston.
The Carolina Panthers on Wednesday agreed to a deal with free-agent cornerback A.J. Bouye as they attempt to improve their secondary heading into this month's NFL draft. Bouye, a Pro Bowler in 2017, will be suspended for the first two games of the 2021 season as part of a six-game ban he received last year for violations of the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. He will be allowed to participate in offseason and preseason practices, according to the league. Bouye entered the NFL in 2013 with Houston as an undrafted free agent. He played well enough that he received a five-year, $67.5 million deal with Jacksonville in 2017. He had six interceptions that season in 16 starts. He has only two picks since, and he had none for Denver last year. In 69 career starts, he has 14 interceptions overall.