Report: Carolina Panthers to sign former Temple defensive lineman

The Carolina Panthers have beefed up their defensive line. According to Ari Meirov of Pro Football Focus, the Panthers are signing former Washington Commanders defensive lineman Matthew Ioannidis to a one-year deal.

“Former #Commanders DT Matt Ioannidis is planning to sign with the #Panthers, per @BussinWTB,” Meirov tweeted. “Will be a one-year deal.”

Ioannidis was drafted in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by Washington out of Temple. He began his career in largely a reserve role, but started ten games in his second season in 2017. In 2018, Ioannidis turned into a valuable piece of Washington’s stout defensive front. That year, he totaled 31 tackles, six tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, and 7.5 sacks. Ioannidis followed that up with an even better season in 2019, finishing with 64 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, and 8.5 sacks.

Since the 2019 season, Ioannidis has struggled with injuries. He played in just three games in 2020, totaling seven tackles, two tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, and 1.5 sacks. This past season, he suited up for 16 games and had 38 tackles, three tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, and 2.5 sacks.

Ioannidis played on a crowded Washington defensive line, sitting behind Jon Allen and Da’Ron Payne at defensive tackle and Chase Young and Montez Sweat at defensive end. With the Panthers, Ioannidis should be in line for a bigger role, and he’ll be looking to return to his 2018 and 2019 form.

Ioannidis reunites with Matt Rhule with the Panthers

By signing with the Panthers, Ioannidis is returning to his former head coach while he was at Temple. Matt Rhule was the coach of the Owls while Ioannidis played there, and now the two will be reuniting with the Panthers.

While at Temple, Ioannidis saw some tremendous success. In his junior year in 2014, he totaled 44 tackles with 11 tackles for loss and three sacks. During the 2015 season, Ioannidis had 42 tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Now, Ioannidis will be hoping to see similar success with the Panthers, just as he used to as a player under Rhule.

Washington recently released Ioannidis to save room against the salary cap.