Panthers Announce Two Last-Minute Signings Before Free Agency

The Panthers re-signed veterans Austin Corbett and Tommy Tremble to new deals, keeping them from hitting the free agent market.
Oct 13, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales on the sidelines in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium.
Oct 13, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales on the sidelines in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

With the NFL’s legal tampering period beginning at noon ET on Monday, the Carolina Panthers made sure to re-sign two key players from last season’s squad. 

On Saturday, Joe Person of The Athletic reported that the Panthers have re-signed Tommy Tremble to a two-year contract. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network added that Tremble’s new deal will be worth up to $16 million with $8 million guaranteed.

Carolina also re-signed center Austin Corbett to a one-year deal, per Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer. On Friday, the Panthers placed a restricted free agent tender on center Cade Mays, keeping him in Carolina for one more season.

It’s not surprising that the Panthers prioritized keeping their offensive line together, given the growth and promise it showed in 2024. Corbett wrapped up his third season in Carolina after signing a three-year, $26.2 million deal in March of 2022.

After playing and starting in all 17 games at right guard for Carolina in 2022, Corbett has only played nine total games over the last two seasons. The veteran offensive lineman started the 2023 season on the PUP list after suffering an ACL injury in the regular season-finale in 2022.

Corbett made his debut in Week 8 of that season, playing in four games before sustaining a torn ACL in his left knee in Week 11. Then this past season, the 29-year-old won the starting center job out of training camp but had a season-ending triceps injury, landing him on injured reserve in October.

The Panthers are taking gambles on Corbett and Tremble for different reasons. Corbett gives them more depth at the position, but must stay healthy. Meanwhile, Tremble hasn’t had more than 35 catches in a single season over his four-year career with the Panthers.

Carolina has their starting tight end of the future and present in Ja’Tavion Sanders, who they drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. However, Panthers fans probably want to see more from Tremble now, with him sticking around for another two seasons.

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