Former Panthers wide receiver Laviska Shenault signs new deal with Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks are reportedly signing former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. this week out of free agency. Shenault’s agents shared the good news with NFL insider Mike Garafolo on Tuesday. The former Jacksonville Jaguars star spent the end of the 2023 season with the Panthers on injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury in a loss against the Titans.

Shenault had 10 catches this season for a total of 60 yards and no touchdowns prior to his ankle injury in Week 12. He also had 12 carries for 55 yards. As a return man, he had six kickoff return attempts for 167 yards. Shenault’s two-year stint with Carolina is now over as he heads to the Seahawks.

Last season, his first with the Panthers, he had 27 catches for 272 yards in 13 games. Carolina acquired him in the 2022 offseason from the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a 2024 sixth-rounder and 2023 seventh-round pick, which the Jaguars used to draft offensive lineman Cooper Hodges.

During his two seasons in Jacksonville, Shenault had 121 catches for 1,219 yards and five touchdowns. The Jaguars drafted him with the No. 42 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Colorado. While at Colorado, he earned first-team All-Pac 12 honors.

In Seattle, Shenault is joining the Seahawks under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald. Macdonald served as the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens last season. Along with Shenault, the offense has added tight end Pharaoh Brown, tackle George Fant and center Nick Harris.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline follows the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.