The legal tampering period opened on Monday at Noon ET, giving all 32 teams a chance to add players to their rosters.
The Panthers didn't stay quiet on Day 1, signing S Tre'Von Moehrig, DT Bobby Brown III, DT Tershawn Wharton, EDGE Patrick Jones II, and re-signing CB Mike Jackson.
They also gave CB Jaycee Horn a massive four-year, $100 million extension, making him the highest-paid CB in the league. That was a solid start for the Panthers, but on Day 2, they made a surprising move at punter. According to Ian Rapoport, Carolina signed punter Sam Martin on a one-year, $3 million deal.
This signing telegraphs that Johnny Hekker won't be back with the Panthers in 2025. He spent the past three seasons with the Panthers, but it seems they want to head in a different direction. In 2024, Hekker was tied for seventh in the NFL in punts (73) but ranked 30th in punt average (45.7 yards).
Not long after it was revealed that the Panthers signed Martin. Hekker was reportedly signed to a one-year fully guaranteed deal by the Tennessee Titans, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
As for Martin, he's played with the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills. Last season with Buffalo, Martin was 22nd in the NFL in punt average (46.7) and tied 16th with 25 punts pinned inside the 20-yard line.
The Panthers decided Martin is the guy they want to lean on in 2025, marking the end of Hekker's run with Carolina.
Hopefully, Martin won't have to be on the field much in 2025, but regardless, he's a reliable veteran in that spot. The 35-year-old was a fifth-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, highlighting the power and accuracy he had as a punter in college.
Martin has averaged 45-plus yards on a punt for six straight seasons, including 5 or fewer touchbacks for the last five campaigns.
The Panthers still have some holes to fill on their roster this offseason. However, Martin's addition allows them to cross one off the list.