Panthers Re-Sign $55 Million Ex-Player On The Grounds Of…
Running back Raheem Blackshear is officially back with the Panthers.
The NFL’s transaction report for Thursday shows that Blackshear has re-signed with the team. The move was a formality as Blackshear was limited to negotiating with the Panthers after they tendered him a contract as an exclusive rights free agent.
Blackshear has played in 25 games for the Panthers over the last two seasons. He had 37 carries for 123 yards and three touchdowns along with 16 catches for 138 yards in those appearances.
Blackshear has also returned 35 kickoffs in Carolina. He’s averaged 26.9 yards per return in that role and he could get even more opportunities to show off that part of his game after the change to kickoff rules that was put in place at this week’s league meetings.
One of the NFL’s most productive tacklers has earned himself a new deal.
Linebacker Foye Oluokun has agreed to a new four-year contract that will keep him tied to the team through 2027, according to multiple reports.
The initial reported numbers indicate Oluokun’s deal is worth $45 million with $22.5 million guaranteed at signing.
Oluokun had one year left on the three-year contract he signed with the Jaguars in the 2022 offseason, but it has been replaced.
Oluokun has started every game for Jacksonville in each of the last two years. He led the NFL in solo tackles in both seasons. He played every defensive snap for Jacksonville in 2023, finishing the season with 173 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, 10 QB hits, 2.5 sacks, six passes defensed, and an interception.
A sixth-round pick in 2018, Oluokun spent his first four seasons with the Falcons. He became a full-time starter in 2020 and in 2021 led the NFL in total tackles.
In 98 career games with 75 starts, Oluokun has registered 32 tackles for loss, 37 quarterback hits, 9.5 sacks, 22 passes defensed, six interceptions, and 10 forced fumbles.
Edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney is returning home for the 2024 season after signing with the Panthers and he’s hopeful that he won’t be the only Rock Hill, South Carolina native to suit up for the team this year.
Clowney said at a Friday press conference that he spoke to his former high school teammate Stephon Gilmore before signing with the Panthers and Gilmore said that he’s been talking to the team as well. Clowney said he will be trying to influence an agreement between the sides so that the two players can line up on the same side once again.
“I’m looking forward to that. Hopefully he pull up and come play here. Me and him, have some fun here,” Clowney said.
Gilmore spent the second half of the 2021 season with the Panthers after they picked him up in a trade with the Patriots. He moved on to stints with the Colts and Cowboys the last two years, but there may be another homecoming in the cards.
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Jadeveon Clowney Explains Why He Joined The Panthers.
After tying a career-high sack total with the Baltimore Ravens last season at 9.5 sacks, veteran defensive end Jadeveon Clowney seemed to prove that he can still be a force to be reckoned with on the football field in the NFL.
Unfortunately, despite coming a half-sack away from double-digit sacks last season with the Ravens, it seemed as though no team was in a rush to sign the veteran defensive end, which led to a longer-than-expected free agency process for the 31-year-old star.
However, he eventually agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers, which seems to be close to a homecoming for the three-time Pro Bowler, who was born in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and played for the University of South Carolina.
Clowney recently opened up about what he chose to sign with the Panthers during his introductory press conference with the team via Taylor Bisciotti of NFL Network.
“I’m at home,” Clowney said. “My family down the road. They brought all that into the situation. I think this will be the place for me to come out here and show these guys I can still do this thing at a high level at 31 years old.”
Although the Panthers are at the beginning of a rebuilding process, trying to surround second-year quarterback Bryce Young with as much talent as possible, Clowney will be a solid addition to the defense if he can stay healthy and productive.
During his lone season with the Ravens, Clowney recorded five passes defensed, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and 24 solo tackles to go along with 9.5 sacks.