The Carolina Panthers have added veteran depth to the back end of their defense. The team announced on Thursday that they have signed defensive back Eric Rowe.
The former second-round pick began his NFL career as a corner with the Eagles in 2015. His time in Philadelphia lasted only one season before he was traded to the New England Patriots.
Rowe stayed on with New England for three years and was a part of two Super Bowl-winning squads during that time, though his playing time did not truly take off until after his next career move.
His next opportunity came on a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins in 2019. It was during that Miami campaign that he began spending significant time at safety and nickel corner. He would subsequently ink a three-year, $18M extension to stay with the organization and in 2020, Rowe put up career-highs in interceptions (two), pass deflections (11) and tackles (91).
Since that statistical peak, Rowe's playing time has fallen off. He logged snap shares of 57 percent and 60 percent over the past two seasons while 2021 second-rounder Jevon Holland emerged as a highly productive Swiss Army knife-type player in his own right. Rowe still managed to rack up 127 stops, six pass breakups and a pair of sacks in that space.
Now heading to Charlotte, the 30-year-old Rowe will join a secondary which has already added former Bengals starter Vonn Bell on a $22.5M pact this offseason. The latter can be expected to take on a first-team role alongside Xavier Woods.
Rowe’s experience in a number of positions could help the Panthers figure out how best to utilize unique safety Jeremy Chinn, who himself has upside in multiple formations and alignments. If Rowe is able to find significant playing time in the fall, he could earn himself a starting role next offseason or at least an extended stay in Charlotte.
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