When the Carolina Panthers inked former Denver Broncos linebacker Josey Jewell to a three-year, $22.75 million contract, it was a move that had the groundwork done ahead of time.
Before free agency, the Panthers elevated Dan Morgan to the team's general manager role and the franchise hired Dave Canales to be its next head coach.
Once that was done, Canales advocated to keep defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero on the team. As a result, linebackers coach Peter Hansen also stuck around. That is really what convinced Jewell to sign on the dotted line after Morgan made the offer.
“For me, it was the coaches," Jewell said of why he signed with the Panthers, via Kassidy Hill of the Panthers' official website. "Wanted some familiarity and I felt like I played my best ball under them.”
During Jewell's season with Evero and Hansen coaching him in 2022, he enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career.
Jewell claimed two interceptions, 128 total tackles, 2.5 sacks and 70 solo tackles.
He was a force to be reckoned with. Now, he is returning to familiar coaches in an unfamiliar city. The hope is that the one reason he signed brings about the production the Panthers will be looking for come the 2024 season.
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