Panthers Sign Playmaker With Previous Tie to Carolina on Tuesday

The Carolina Panthers finished the 2024 season with a 5-12 record. This was a three-game win improvement from the year before and look to continue that improvement in 2025.

The Panthers will use free agency, trades, and the NFL Draft as avenues to improve this roster. Before they can even use any of these areas, the Panthers decided to make an addition to their roster on Tuesday.

According to the Panthers' official X page, they signed OLB Carlos Basham to a reserve/future contract. Basham already has a connection with the Panthers. GM Dan Morgan was with the Buffalo Bills as the Director of player personnel from 2018-2020 and was there when the Bills made him a second-round pick in 2021.

Panthers News: Panthers Added Carlos Basham on Tuesday

Basham landing a future/reserve contract gives him the chance to fight for a roster spot during minicamp and training camp.

Over 40 career games, Basham has compiled 57 total tackles, six TFLs, nine QB hits, and 4.5 sacks. The Panthers need help on the defensive side badly. This past season, Carolina was 32nd in the league in total defense (404.5) and rushing defense (179.8). They were also 23rd in pass defense (224.7) and 30th in team sacks (32).

Carolina knows they need to change things around in 2025 and adding Basham gives them additional veteran presence upfront.

The Panthers understand they need to change things around to improve the roster next season and this is just one of many incoming moves.

Basham hasn't been a game-wrecker in the NFL, but he could still log valuable snaps in a backup role if given the opportunity. That may be how the Panthers envision using him, granted it's still early in their offseason process.

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