Carolina Panthers re-sign tight end ahead of free agency

NFL free agency is set to open on March 16. Ahead of the start of free agency, the Carolina Panthers have signed tight end Ian Thomas, who was set to hit the open market, to a new three-year deal, the team announced on Friday morning.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the three-year deal is worth $16.5 million. Thomas will earn $6.435 million in the first year of the deal, and the contract includes $8 million fully guaranteed, per Rapoport.

The Panthers drafted Thomas 101st overall in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Indiana. With the Hoosiers, Thomas played during two seasons, bringing in 28 receptions for 404 yards and five touchdowns.

Thomas played in all 16 games as a rookie in 2018, getting six starts as starter Greg Olsen dealt with injuries. That year, Thomas brought in 36 receptions for 333 yards and two touchdowns. In 2019, he caught 16 passes for 136 yards and one touchdown as Olsen returned to full health and started 14 games. After the 2019 season, Olsen left for Seattle in free agency, opening up a big opportunity for Thomas. In 2020, Thomas started eight games for the Panthers, totaling 20 receptions for 145 yards and one touchdown.

This past season, Thomas started 13 of the Panthers’ 17 games, bringing in 18 receptions on 30 targets for 188 yards. He did not have a touchdown this past season. But Thomas also brings a lot of value as a blocker.

Thomas should have a big role in a new-look Panthers offense next season

The Panthers have moved on from former offensive coordinator Joe Brady, bringing in Ben McAdoo to fill the position. Carolina also faces big questions at quarterback. Sam Darnold, Cam Newton, and PJ Walker split time at the position this past season, but all three produced underwhelming results. The next Panthers quarterback is likely not currently on the roster.

Whoever comes in at quarterback, he will have a solid array of weapons on the offense. In addition to Thomas at tight end, the Panthers also have young tight end Tommy Tremble. At receiver, Carolina has DJ Moore, Robby Anderson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. When healthy, running back Christian McCaffrey is one of the top offensive playmakers in the NFL.

Free agency opens at 4 p.m. ET on March 16. The Panthers still have 19 unrestricted free agents that are set to hit the open market at that time.