Carolina Panthers sign Robby Anderson: Grade, reaction and more
By John Buhler
After four years with the New York Jets, wide receiver Robby Anderson has signed a two-year deal to join the Carolina Panthers in his free agency.
The Carolina Panthers have made several interesting decisions this offseason. Their quarterback room looks completely different with Teddy Bridgewater and P.J. Walker coming in and Kyle Allen and Cam Newton on the way out. Many other key players have left the team, but Carolina did make a great free-agent signing on Tuesday by landing wide receiver Robby Anderson.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Anderson has signed a two-year deal with Carolina for $20 million. $12 million will be coming in the first year of that new contract inked with the Panthers. Though Anderson has never gone over 1,000 yards as a receiver in any of his four years with the New York Jets, he’s been arguably the most reliable receiver Gang Green has had over that time.
Anderson was briefly teammates with Bridgewater in New York, so this might help jumpstart their rapport this offseason in Charlotte. With D.J. Moore still on his rookie contract, the Panthers receiving corps just got a lot deeper and more exciting. This is a move Carolina should be commended for in an offseason of many head-scratching decisions.
Here are the contract details, the national reaction and a grade for Anderson joining the Panthers.
Contract Details
Per Schefter, it is a two-year contract with $20 million with $12 million of that coming in the first year of the deal. Anderson will make on average $10 million annually over the life of the deal. He now joins his former college coach Matt Rhule in Charlotte, as well as his former college teammate in Walker. There is obviously a lot to like about this deal for Anderson to Carolina.
National Reaction
Former Jets’ WR Robby Anderson is signing a two-year, $20 million deal including $12 million in year one with the Carolina Panthers, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 24, 2020
The #Panthers giving WR Robby Anderson $12M in year helped land the former #Jets WR, and for Anderson, he’ll be a free agent again at 29 years old. Anderson ends up with his old college coach, Matt Rhule.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 24, 2020
Ironic:
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) March 24, 2020
After never signing a single good WR in free agency while he was their QB, the Panthers signed Robby Anderson the same day they cut Cam Newton.
Previously, the most they ever spent in FA was on TB's Russell Shepard ($3.3M/yr) in 2017.
With D.J. Moore and now Robby Anderson in Carolina, that could leave Curtis Samuel as the odd man out. He’d have a nice trade market if he were made available. Still a talented player.
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) March 24, 2020
The new-look Panthers offense:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 24, 2020
QB: Teddy Bridgewater
RB: Christian McCaffrey
WR: D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, Curtis Samuel
TE: Ian Thomas
Explosive and fast group that will be really, really good after the catch.
This move was very well received. It is a move Carolina can absolutely build off. He has a working relationship with two of the quarterbacks in the organization, as well as a strong rapport with his head coach. By landing in Joe Brady’s offense, Anderson has a decent possibility of going over 1,000 yards for the first time in his NFL career in Carolina uniform.
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Overall, this has to be one of the best moves the Panthers made this offseason. It is also a terrible look for the Jets, as Gang Green loses its best target for quarterback Sam Darnold after Anderson spent more than a week on the open market. Carolina may not be a good team next year, but the Panthers have finally landed themselves a quality wide receiver to work with. Good job, Panthers.