The Carolina Panthers have been among the busiest teams in the first week of NFL free agency, doling out massive contracts to guys like Jaycee Horn and Tershawn Wharton in an effort to compete in the NFC South in 2025.
It's considered the worst division in football, though that could change quickly if Carolina can build off some promising moments in head coach Dave Canales' first year.
They're especially poised to overcome the downtrodden New Orleans Saints, who are cash-strapped with few promising pieces on either side of the ball. Their desperation reached a new level on Saturday, as the Saints reportedly signed a failed Panthers receiver in free agency.
Wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. is signing with the #Saints, per source. Former third-round pick by Chicago was last with Carolina.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 16, 2025
Saints Sign Former Panthers WR Velus Jones Jr.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Saints signed Velus Jones Jr. He was originally a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, though last played with the Panthers.
This will be Jones' third team in four years, as he's quickly fallen from an intriguing prospect to someone without a real home. He appeared in two games with Carolina, carrying the ball once for no gain while returning a punt for 19 yards. For a team like the Panthers that was in search of juice offensively last season, it speaks volumes that Jones wasn't wanted back.
Now, he'll try to resurrect his career with a divisional rival in the Saints. He's struggled with ineffectiveness and has repeatedly been a healthy scratch, partially due to coaching staffs having difficulty figuring out how to deploy him.
During his career, Jones has 20 carries for 165 yards and a TD, though he has caught only 12 of 22 targets for 135 yards and another score.
While Jones theoretically has value as a kick returner, that skillset hasn't translated to the professional level. To be fair to Jones though, he's only 27 years old and could still return on his promise. It merely speaks to the bad shape the Saints are in that they had to make this dart throw.