JUST IN: I want to leave, I don’t want to extend. Panthers top profile player makes decision.

The Carolina Panthers have had plenty of turnover in the first offseason of the Dan Morgan-Dave Canales era. The formerly 2-15 squad has reworked its offense and defense while attempting to keep its special teams core intact. Last week, Morgan was able to land former Pro Bowl pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, a Rock Hill, S.C. native, on a two-year deal. The first-year general manager also brought back a pair of familiar faces, Sam Franklin and Tae Davis, to help keep some cohesion within the special teams unit. Here is an updated breakdown of the roster movement in Carolina this offseason:

▪ OLB Jadeveon Clowney ▪ WR Diontae Johnson ▪ G Robert Hunt ▪ G Damien Lewis ▪ LB Josey Jewell ▪ OLB D.J. Wonnum ▪ S Jordan Fuller ▪ CB Dane Jackson ▪ DE/DT A’Shawn Robinson ▪ OLB K’Lavon Chaisson

▪ OT Yosh Nijman ▪ WR David Moore ▪ DB Nick Scott

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Panthers To Re-Sign S Sam Franklin

While another Panthers move will steal the headlines, the team also managed to retain one of their special teams aces today. According to Joe Person of The Athletic, the Panthers are re-signing safety/core special teamer Sam Franklin. It’s a one-year deal for the veteran.

Franklin has spent his entire career in Carolina, joining the organization as an undrafted free agent out of Temple in 2020. He’s had an inconsistent defensive role through his first four seasons in the league, starting only nine of his 64 appearances. However, he’s managed to make an impact on special teams, averaging more than 270 ST snaps during that four-year span.

The 28-year-old actually got into a career-high 289 defensive snaps in 2023, finishing the season with a career-high 30 tackles. He also snagged his first career interception, returning it 99 yards for a touchdown

While Franklin will continue to see a significant special teams role in 2024, he may not have the same opportunity on defense. The safety’s snaps last season mostly came when Xavier Woods and Vonn Bell were out of the lineup. While Bell is gone, the team has brought in Jordan Fuller and Nick Scott via free agency, pushing Franklin back towards the bottom of the depth chart.