The Carolina Panthers are bringing in another defender familiar with head coach Matt Rhule. The Panthers announced they have signed defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis to a one-year deal. Sirius XM’s Adam Caplan adds that the contract is worth $5.9M.
The 28-year-old was released by the Commanders earlier this week. The move created just under $7M in cap space, but meant he would be changing teams for the first time in his career. Given his production, it doesn’t come as a surprise that he was able to find a new home so quickly.
The former fifth-round pick established himself as a significant interior pass-rushing presence during his six seasons in the nation’s capital. His best year came in 2019, when he totaled 64 tackles and 8.5 sacks. He was limited to just three contests the following year, but came back healthy in 2021. For his career, he has posted 24.5 sacks.
Ioannidis will replace DaQuan Jones, who joined the Bills at the start of free agency. As a four-year player at Temple, he marks another signing by the Panthers who has experience playing under Rhule. Alongside Derrick Brown, he will likely form a disruptive duo at the heart of their defense.
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