Panthers Re-sign DE Mario Addison To 3-Year, $22.5M Deal

Less than two weeks before the start of the signing period, the Carolina Panthers re-signed defensive end Mario Addison to a three-year deal on Sunday.

Panthers Re-sign DE Mario Addison to 3-Year Deal

According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the deal is worth $22.5 million.

The #Panthers signed DE Mario Addison to a 3-year deal worth $22.5M, source said. At 29 years old, he had 9.5 sacks in 2016.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 26, 2017

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The 29-year-old, who is coming off his best season in the NFL, was praised by general manager Dave Gettleman. 

“Mario has shown he is one of the best emerging pass-rushers in the league and he deserves this contract,” Gettleman said in a statement, per Bryan Strickland of the team’s official website. “He consistently affects the quarterback, and we envision an increased role for him in our defense. He’s a pro in the way he approaches the game and brings an upbeat attitude to our locker room. We’re thrilled he will continue his career with the Panthers.”

Addison’s career-high 9.5 sacks in 2016 led the Panthers and his 22 QB takedowns since 2014 are also a franchise-best in that time span.

“It’s very important. … I want to get a real good contract. I want a contract where I can take care of my family and can say that I put in the work and it really paid off,” Addison reportedly told Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer.

A message from @HIT_STIQ4 #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/5TO9EvZFss

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) February 26, 2017

Addison is the first of Carolina’s five unrestricted free agent defensive lineman to re-sign with the team. The Panthers will likely spend big money on defensive tackle Kawann Short, who is a top-10 free agent this offseason, through either a new contract, as the team did with Addison, or a franchise tag, which would be valued at $13.615 million.

Panthers receiver Charles Johnson, 30, will also be on the market.

FOXBORO, MA – AUGUST 22: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws over the head of Mario Addison #97 of the Carolina Panthers in the second quarter in a preseason game at Gillette Stadium on August 22, 2014 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)