The Panthers have reportedly decided to pair star defensive tackle Derrick Brown with another young interior defensive lineman, agreeing to a deal with Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Tuttle is set to join Carolina under a three-year, $19.5M contract that includes $13M guaranteed at signing.
Tuttle was a nice surprise over the last few years for the Saints, entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee.
Tuttle immediately stood out as a rookie recording two sacks, three tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, four pass deflections, and one interception (which he athletically returned 19 yards).
Over the next three seasons, Tuttle showed more of the same while becoming more disruptive in the running game, as well. Over four years with the team that gave him a chance after going undrafted, Tuttle delivered one outstanding year after another, proving that he deserved to be a starting defensive tackle in the NFL.
This past season was Tuttle’s worst, according to Pro Football Focus, but he showed enough in his first three seasons to easily justify the multiyear contract.
With Tuttle and Brown on the interior defensive line in 2023 and Brian Burns and Yetur Gross-Matos on the edges, the Panthers defensive line is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with. New defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero has received some talented pieces Monday to boost his new unit.
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