Carolina Panthers fans knew that bolstering the team's defense was going to be one of general manager Dan Morgan's top priorities this offseason. Fortunately, the 46-year-old GM didn't waste any time addressing that need when free agency opened on Monday, signing the likes of safety Trevor Moehrig, pass-rusher Tershawn Wharton, and linebacker Patrick Jones.
With that being said, Morgan's work isn't close to being over. The Panthers finished 2024 with the worst Pro Football Focus defense grade (44.9), meaning it's going to take more than a handful of signings to return the team to playoff contention.
That's why the Panthers reunited a coaching staff member with one of their former pupils toward the end of Day 1 of free agency.
Panthers Sign DT Bobby Brown for Reunion With Ejiro Evero
NFL insider Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Panthers have signed veteran defensive tackle Bobby Brown III to a three-year contract. According to Rapoport, the deal is worth $21 million but can increase as high as $27 million due to incentives.
Brown joins the Panthers after beginning his career with the Los Angeles Rams, who drafted him 117th overall in 2021. The former Texas A&M Aggie played 49 games throughout his run in L.A., developing into a starter with each passing season as he amassed 37 solo tackles, one broken-up pass, and half a sack along the way.
It was also in Los Angeles where Brown met Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. The 44-year-old DC was the Rams' secondary coach and passing game coordinator during Brown's rookie campaign before leaving to join the Denver Broncos' staff in the subsequent offseason.
It's going to be interesting to see what type of impact Brown can have on a Carolina defense that was graded dead last against the run in 2024 (37.5). Fortunately, the Arlington, TX native is coming off a solid year that saw him tally a career-high 69.8 PFF tackling grade while also recording the 27th-best run defense effort (67.7) among 219 interior defenders.
It's going to take a lot more work to turn the Panthers into a playoff contender, but the team's early offseason moves are encouraging thus far. Hopefully, GM Morgan keeps his foot on the gas pedal so that Carolina can experience a winning football season for the first time since 2017.