Business has officially picked up for the Carolina Panthers in recent days. We graded their latest six major moves in 2023 free agency.
After a quiet start to free agency, things are hotting up for the Carolina Panthers. General manager Scott Fitterer normally comes alive at this time of year, picking up productive veterans on decent deals that provide flexibility for the future.
This has proved to be the case once again. The Panthers have left no stone unturned to strengthen problem positions and rid themselves of underperforming players that were never going to work out long-term.
Hopefully, this can stand Carolina in good stead during the 2023 NFL Draft and when preparations for the upcoming campaign ramp up. It's been an impressive offseason overall, but that will count for nothing if players, staff, and front-office figures cannot come together in pursuit of their common goal.
Without further ado, we graded the latest six major moves made by the Panthers in 2023 free agency.
Move No. 1
Carolina Panthers cut Ian Thomas' pay
Thanks to a certain move we'll discuss shortly, the Carolina Panthers managed to work out something with Ian Thomas that allows him to stick around. According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the tight end's base pay has reduced by more than $3 million in each of the next two years, which is in keeping with a blocking presence rather than a complete package.
In all honesty, this is where Thomas is best suited. He's among the league's most productive blockers at the tight end position and even though his influence in the passing game came in for criticism, the Panthers now have someone to pick up the slack.
Grade: A
Carolina Panthers signed Hayden Hurst
This takes us perfectly to the next major move. Finding a productive pass-catching tight end was necessary for the Carolina Panthers this offseason, especially after they declared their intentions to move forward with a rookie signal-caller with a bombshell trade-up to No. 1 overall.
Although there are plenty of worthy options entering the draft this year, the Panthers went with more experience. This saw Hayden Hurst join after an impressive spell with the Cincinnati Bengals, who instantly becomes the best tight end Carolina's benefitted from since Greg Olsen was in his prime.
Hurst is a widely underrated option. The former first-round pick is a dependable catching presence across the middle and also has the physicality to make his presence felt in red-zone situations for good measure.
There's also plenty to like about Hurst's athletic attributes, which are often overlooked. Whether it's C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, or someone else, this will become their best friend in no time and is going to eas the transition from college to the pros enormously.
Grade: B+
Hurst's arrival has already been well-received and he is no stranger to the NFC South having spent two years with the Atlanta Falcons. This will allow Ian Thomas to focus more on blocking and could also see Tommy Tremble switch to a full-back role, which best suits their respective skill sets.
Carolina Panthers did not tender P.J. Walker
It's all changed at the quarterback position where the Carolina Panthers are concerned. Sam Darnold signed for the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year deal and the last remaining veteran from Matt Rhule's reign of terror is also out after those in power didn't place a tender on restricted free-agent P.J. Walker.
Walker was solid if not spectacular during his time under center in Carolina. There were some memorable highlights - most notably his sensational deep touchdown to D.J. Moore at the Atlanta Falcons - but the deficiencies were evident and moving on was a pretty easy call to make all things considered.
The former XFL MVP candidate wasn't out of work for long, signing a two-year deal with the Chicago Bears to reunite immediately with Moore. Walker will serve as Justin Fields' backup heading into a crucial Year 3 for the player, which is a nice security blanket for the NFC North team to have in the event injury strikes.
Carolina is embarking on a new era with a rookie quarterback at No. 1 overall. They've also secured a veteran bridge and mentor we'll discuss in depth next, so it wasn't hard to see Walker's services were no longer required.
Grade: A
Nobody will wish Walker anything but the best. The signal-caller's time with the Panthers reignited his career prospects, even if he couldn't ever become the team's long-term option.
Carolina Panthers signed Andy Dalton
As stated previously, the Carolina Panthers went about improving their quarterback prospects in an aggressive fashion this offseason. Surging to No.1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft gives them the pick of the incoming college prospects and those in power also got their hands on a strong mentor to guide the rookie signal-caller through a crucial transition.
The Panthers signed Andy Dalton to a two-year deal that looks pretty reasonable for the role he'll assume. Although some fans met this move with dismay, it needs some context attached given how flawed Carolina's moves were at football's most important position under Matt Rhule.
First of all, whichever quarterback the Panthers draft at No. 1 is going to be starting right out of the gate unless they don't meet expectations. This leaves Dalton backing up the rookie and steering him in the right direction as an extra coach of sorts.
This is a role he's already thrived in when on the Chicago Bears. Justin Fields had nothing but high praise for Dalton during a recent podcast appearance, so the Panthers will be hoping he can have a similar effect with their next quarterback - whoever that might be.
Grade: B+
If all else fails, Dalton has proven credentials to step in and keep things ticking over. The former second-round pick is not the force of old by any stretch, but the Panthers won't need him to be if their rookie hits the ground running.
Carolina Panthers signed DeShawn Williams
It wasn't just the offensive side of the football getting attention over the last few days. The Carolina Panthers also signed DeShawn Williams, who is well-known to defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero from their time together on the Denver Broncos.
Williams mght not be a household name, but he's coming off the best campaign of his professional career by a considerable margin under Evero's guidance in 2022. Something the Panthers will be hoping continues in a different environment.
Expect the former Clemson star to become the 3-4 defensive end opposite Derrick Brown. Carolina got their nose tackle during the legal tampering period in the form of Shy Tuttle, which will likely see Brian Burns and Frankie Luvu become the 3-4 outside linebacking tandem.
This looks like a formidable front five. With Shaq Thompson returning on a restructured extension and Jeremy Chinn getting more freedom following the signing of Vonn Bell, this defense could do some real damage next season - something that will no doubt see head coaching opportunities become plentiful for Evero along the way.
Grade: B
Fans might not know a great deal about Williams. But if Evero trusts him , you should too.
Carolina Panthers signed Miles Sanders
Perhaps the most surprising signing of free agency so far for the Carolina Panthers came in the form of Miles Sanders. Despite trading Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers, that didn't stop the front office from giving another veteran dual-threat running back decent money to leave the Philadelphia Eagles.
According to multiple reports, Sanders' deal comes with $13 million fully guaranteed. It also means D'Onta Foreman's time with the Panthers could be at an end, although nothing has been ruled out in that regard.
Sanders' credentials are obvious and renowned around the league. While he's missed the odd game here and there due to injury, the player looked phenomenal last season as the Eagles clinched the NFC championship before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The former Penn State standout notched 1,347 all-purpose yards and 11 combined touchdowns in 2022. Sanders is still only 25 years old, so the Panthers will be getting the player for his prime years if he stays clear of injury.
Grade: A-
Sanders comes from a winning organization and looks tailor-made for the scheme Frank Reich is going to run on offense. All the Panthers need is the right quarterback and it's all systems go.