David Newton of ESPN, citing league sources, reports that the Panthers have expressed interest in re-signing veteran DE Mario Addison, but he plans to test the open market.
Newton does add that this doesn’t mean the two parties won’t find middle ground on a potential deal at some point.
It’s possible there could be a decent market for Addison, given the number of teams in need of a pass rusher this offseason and the fact that he registered 9.5 sacks last year.
Addison, 32, originally signed on with the Bears as an undrafted free agent out of Troy back in 2011. He lasted just a few months in Chicago before he was waived and later claimed off of waivers by the Colts.
After a brief stint with the Redskins in 2012, the Panthers signed him to their practice squad and later gave him a two-year extension in 2014. He played out the final year of his three-year, $22.5 million contract and is now in line to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
In 2019, Addison appeared in 15 games for the Panthers and recorded 34 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 70 edge defender out of 108 qualifying players.
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