The Panthers have re-signed cornerback Ladarius Gunter to a one-year deal, the club announced today. Gunter can earn up to $1.4MM including incentives, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
Carolina claimed Gunter off waivers from the Packers last September, but opted not to tender him as a restricted free agent earlier this month. The Panthers always had interest in a reunion with Gunter after free agent signing Bashaud Breeland‘s failed physical led to a voided contract, but the club re-signed him at a price cheaper than the $1.907MM original round tender.
The Panthers were able to secure Gunter at a low-cost rate because the 25-year-old simply doesn’t come with enough of an NFL track record to warrant a more serious investment. In two of Gunter’s three NFL campaigns (2015 and 2017), he played a combined total of 10 defensive snaps. During his lone year as a starter in 2016, Gunter graded as one of the worst cornerbacks in the league while starting 15 games for Green Bay, per Pro Football Focus.
Gunter is the third defensive back signed by the Panthers in the past week, joining fellow corner Ross Cockrell and safety Da’Norris Searcy. He joins a cornerback depth chart that includes James Bradberry, Captain Munnerlyn, Kevon Seymour, and Cockrell, among others, but is without Daryl Worley (trade) and Teddy Williams (free agency).
Dude shuts down Odell