Chiefs to sign LB Jermaine Carter

Former Panthers linebacker Jermaine Carter generated interest on the market, but he has made a decision. The Chiefs are adding the four-year veteran, per Field Yates of ESPN.com.

Carter has just one season of full-time starter experience, but he is coming off a 17-start slate with Carolina. The 27-year-old defender visited the Chiefs on Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes, joining defensive end Arden Key in that regard.

This addition is interesting for a Chiefs team that used second-round picks on off-ball linebackers in each of the past two years, selecting Willie Gay and Nick Bolton. The latter enjoyed a standout rookie year and should remain the anchor of Kansas City’s defensive second level. But Carter is poised to play a key role for the six-time reigning AFC West champions, who have operated aggressively since freeing up money by trading Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins.

A former fifth-round pick, Carter drew interest from multiple teams in free agency. He made 88 tackles (three for loss) with the Panthers last season. Carter’s emergence led to Carolina trading Denzel Perryman to Las Vegas during training camp last year. The Panthers will move forward without the Marty Hurney-era investment.