CAROLINA PANTHERS NEWS

James Mitchell - Headed to Carolina The Panthers signed Mitchell to a reserve/future contract Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Impact Mitchell spent the entire 2024 regular season on the Lions' practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster at the end of training camp. He was elevated for Week 11 against the Jaguars and played 24 offensive snaps but did not show up in the box score otherwise. Mitchell will be a part of the Panthers' 90-man roster when the new league year starts March 12 and will participate in OTAs, minicamp and training camp ahead of the 2025 campaign.

12 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Vikings extend coach Kevin O'Connell after 14-win season defies expectations

The Minnesota Vikings and coach Kevin O’Connell have agreed to terms on a multiyear contract extension

14 HOURS AGO

What are the 10 best seasons by a rookie QB in NFL history?

What are the top 10 best rookie QB seasons of all time? FOX Sports Research compiled the list.

1 DAY AGO

2025 NFL Draft order: Top 28 picks are set, with Titans at No. 1

Check out the latest 2025 NFL Draft order as the NFL postseason continues.

2 DAYS AGO

Ravens and Bills lost plenty of talent last offseason, but stayed in Super Bowl contention

Free agency and salary cap constraints threatened to knock Buffalo and Baltimore down a notch last offseason

4 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

2025 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Titans select Cam Ward over Shedeur Sanders at No. 1

J-Mac is back with the second version of his 2025 NFL Draft. Find out which teams he predicts will select some of college football's biggest...

4 DAYS AGO

David Moore - Productive with the Panthers Moore caught 32 of his 57 targets for 351 yards and three touchdowns across 17 regular-season games in 2024.

Impact Moore had one of the most productive seasons of his career with Carolina in 2024, recording his highest totals in receptions, yards and touchdowns since his 2020 campaign with Seattle. He benefitted from increased offensive opportunities following Diontae Johnson's trade to Baltimore in late October and injuries to Jalen Coker and Adam Thielen throughout the season, playing the second-most offensive snaps (545) among Carolina's wide receivers. After completing his first season with the Panthers, Moore is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The 30-year-old is likely to sign a short-term deal and compete for another depth role in 2025, whether in Carolina or with another team.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Deven Thompkins - Plays minimal role in Carolina Thompkins caught all four of his targets for 20 yards and rushed two times for seven yards over seven regular-season games in 2024. He also tallied 134 kick return yards and 19 pun...

Impact Thompkins spent most of his 2024 campaign bouncing between the Panthers' practice squad and active roster, appearing in seven consecutive games from Week 9 to Week 16. The 25-year-old played a minimal role on Carolina's offense, logging just six touches over 51 offensive snaps. He also wasn't much of a factor in the return game, stepping in for Raheem Blackshear and serving as the team's top return specialist in Weeks 14 and 15. Thompkins is now set to be a restricted free agent this summer, but it wouldn't be surprising if he lands elsewhere, as he was a healthy scratch in the Panthers' final two games of the season.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Dan Chisena - Sees more offensive work in 2024 Chisena caught three of his four targets for 37 yards across six regular-season games in 2024.

Impact Chisena joined the Panthers' practice squad in mid-October after beginning his 2024 campaign in Arizona. The Penn State product went on to appear in six of Carolina's final seven games this season, recording the first three receptions of his NFL career while also contributing on special teams (80 special-teams snaps). After inking a deal to join the Panthers' active roster Dec. 17, Chisena is set to be a restricted free agent this summer, meaning Carolina can match any offer he receives from another team. If the 27-year-old remains with the Panthers, he'll likely compete for a depth role in the team's wide receiver room throughout the offseason.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Andy Dalton - Starts five games in 2024 Dalton completed 106 of his 160 pass attempts for 989 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions over six regular-season games in 2024. He also rushed 11 times for 34 yards and...

Impact After the Panthers lost their first two games of the regular season by a combined 60 points, 2023 first-overall pick Bryce Young was benched in favor of Dalton, who then made five consecutive starts before injuring his thumb in a car accident. Dalton initially provided Carolina's offense with a much-needed spark, throwing for five touchdowns and one interception over his first two starts, before regressing in his final three games. He's now finished the final season of a two-year, $10 million deal signed with Carolina in 2023, making him an unrestricted free agent this summer. The 37-year-old is likely to serve as a backup quarterback again in 2025, whether with the Panthers or another team, if he decides to return for his 15th NFL season.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ravens claim Diontae Johnson (again) after Texans waived veteran WR

The Ravens claimed Diontae Johnson off waivers one day after the Texans placed him there — and after Baltimore already released him earlier...

6 DAYS AGO

Baltimore WR Zay Flowers misses practice with knee injury as showdown with Buffalo draws closer

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers was not at practice

6 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

What are the 10 most memorable 'doinks' of all time?

Football is a game of inches, especially for kickers. These are the top 10 doinks in NFL history.

6 DAYS AGO

Bears interview former Stanford coach David Shaw for their head coaching job

The Chicago Bears have interviewed former Stanford coach David Shaw for their head coaching job

JANUARY 15 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bears look to their past, interview former Panthers and Commanders coach Ron Rivera

The Chicago Bears have reached into their past and interviewed former Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera for their head coaching job

JANUARY 13 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Caleb Farley - Plays nine games in 2024 Farley recorded 17 total tackles over nine games in 2024.

Impact Farley, a 2021 first-round pick from Virginia Tech, was added to the Panthers' practice squad in early October after being dropped by the Titans before the season. He was promoted to Carolina's active roster later that month, contributing on special teams and as a reserve cornerback. The 26-year-old played more than 70 percent of the Panthers' defensive snaps in the team's final two games, recording seven total tackles during that span. Now set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, Farley will likely sign a one-year prove-it deal, having appeared in just 21 games throughout his four-year NFL career.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Jacoby Windmon - Shows flashes in rookie season Windmon tallied 22 total tackles, including 1.5 sacks, and defended two passes across eight games in 2024.

Impact Windmon, an undrafted rookie from Michigan State, was signed off the Steelers' practice squad in mid-October but didn't play a defensive snap until the Panthers' Week 15 loss to the Cowboys. The 23-year-old flashed potential during his two starts, recording 18 total tackles, including 1.5 sacks, and two passes defended over Weeks 16 and 17. Windmon's performances as a starter likely secured him a roster spot in Carolina for 2025, though he's expected to return to a reserve role.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Dane Jackson - Underwhelms in Carolina Jackson recorded 23 total tackles and two passes defended over nine games in 2024.

Impact Jackson signed a two-year, $8.5 million deal with the Panthers last offseason after posting 96 total tackles, two forced fumbles and 17 passes defended, including two interceptions, over his final two seasons in Buffalo. The Pittsburgh product missed six of the Panthers' first seven games due to a hamstring injury and failed to find a rhythm in his first season in Carolina, playing a reserve role when healthy. With Michael Jackson set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, Jackson could see an increased role on the Panthers' defense in 2025, potentially starting opposite Jaycee Horn.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Panthers fire 3 defensive coaches after surrendering most points in NFL history, AP source says

The Carolina Panthers have begun to make changes to their defensive staff after giving up the most points in NFL history this season

JANUARY 9 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nick Scott - Struggles in Carolina Scott recorded 30 total tackles and two passes defended across 10 games in 2024.

Impact Scott inked a one-year, $1.3 million deal with the Panthers this past offseason after posting 57 total tackles in 17 games with the Bengals in 2023. The 29-year-old endured a tough season in Carolina, dealing with hamstring, quadriceps and shoulder injuries that limited him to 10 appearances. Primarily serving as one of the Panthers' top reserve safeties, he started just four games in place of the injured Jordan Fuller. Scott tallied 22 total tackles and one pass defended during those four starts, while contributing almost exclusively on special teams in his other appearances. The Penn State product is now set to hit unrestricted free agency and will likely be forced to sign another one-year prove-it deal after an underwhelming 2024 campaign.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Chandler Wooten - Plays just five games in 2024 Wooten tallied 30 total tackles over five games in 2024.

Impact The third-year linebacker appeared in just five games this season but played 202 defensive snaps, 150 more than his previous career high. Wooten began the season on Carolina's practice squad but was elevated due to a slew of injuries to the team's linebacker corps. He played 70 percent of the Panthers' defensive snaps in three of his five appearances in 2024, recording 29 total stops during those outings. Wooten enters the offseason as a restricted free agent, giving the Panthers an opportunity to match any offer from another team. If the Auburn product remains in Carolina for 2025, he's likely to revert to a reserve role, playing behind Shaq Thompson (Achilles), Josey Jewell (concussion), Trevin Wallace (shoulder) and Claudin Cherelus (toe).

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

D.J. Wonnum - Promising 2024 campaign Wonnum recorded 37 total tackles, including 4.0 sacks, defended one pass and forced one fumble across eight games in 2024.

Impact Wonnum signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal with the Panthers last offseason after tying his career-best sack total (8.0) with the Vikings in 2023. However, the 27-year-old missed Carolina's first nine games this season due to a lingering quadriceps injury sustained during his last season in Minnesota. Despite the limited playing time, Wonnum finished third on the Panthers' defense in sacks, tallying 26 pressures in just eight games. The South Carolina product showed flashes of brilliance throughout his appearances and is expected to serve as Carolina's top edge rusher in 2025, looking to help bolster a defense that tied for the second-fewest sacks (32.0) in the NFL this season.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

LaBryan Ray - Thrust into starting role in 2024 Ray recorded 41 total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, over 16 games in 2024.

Impact Ray saw increased opportunities with the Panthers' first-team defense following Derrick Brown's (knee) season-ending injury in the Week 1 loss to the Saints, starting nine of the Panthers remaining 16 regular-season games. He played at least 40 percent of Carolina's defensive snaps in all of his appearances this season, setting a career high in total tackles and also logging the first sack of his young career. Ray is an exclusive rights free agent this offseason, meaning he cannot negotiate with other teams if the Panthers extend a qualifying offer. If the 27-year-old returns to Carolina in 2025, he's likely to revert to a reserve role behind Brown.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Jadeveon Clowney - Disappoints in Carolina Clowney recorded 46 total tackles, including 5.5 sacks, and four passes defended over 14 games in 2024.

Impact The 2014 first-round pick from South Carolina signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Panthers this past offseason after tying his career high in sacks (9.5) in 2023 with the Ravens. Clowney was brought in to help bolster a struggling Panthers pass rush that ranked dead last in the NFL in sacks (27.0) in 2023, but his first season in Carolina did not go as planned. The 31-year-old posted the lowest sack total of his career in any season in which he appeared in 14 or more games, while the Panthers' defense once again ranked among the NFL's bottom four teams in sacks (32.0). Clowney is expected to benefit from the return of fellow edge rusher D.J. Wonnum, who missed nine games in 2024, potentially making his job a bit easier heading into the 2025 season.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Shy Tuttle - Plays increased role in 2024 Tuttle recorded 46 total tackles, three passes defended and one forced fumble across 15 games in 2024.

Impact With Derrick Brown (knee) sustaining a season-ending injury in the Week 1 loss to the Saints, Tuttle took on an increased role on the Panthers' defense in 2024. Despite missing two games this season, the 29-year-old interior defensive lineman played 51 more defensive snaps than he did in 2023. Tuttle's role will likely be reduced once Brown returns from injury in 2025; however, the Tennessee product is expected to remain a starter on the Panthers' defense following a relatively productive 2024 campaign.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE