Continuing to rework their wide receiver corps, the Carolina Panthers signed free agent Jason Avant on Monday.
Avant received a one-year deal, the team announced. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“We are happy to have Jason with the Panthers,” Carolina coach Ron Rivera said in a press release. “He provides a versatile player at receiver and brings good size as well as experience to the position.”
Since last season ended, the Panthers also added wide receivers Jerricho Cotchery, formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tiquan Underwood, previously with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Avant was released by the Philadelphia Eagles last month in a cost-cutting move. He was due a $1 million bonus on March 15. By cutting Avant, the Eagles saved $3.25 million against the salary cap.
Last season, tight end Greg Olson was the Panthers’ leading receiver in terms of catches and yards. Carolina’s top wide receiver, Steve Smith, was released, and he subsequently signed with the Baltimore Ravens.
Avant played his first eight NFL seasons in Philadelphia, and he ranks 11th in team history with 297 receptions for 3,646 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Last season, he made a career-high 13 starts, and he finished with 38 receptions for 447 yards and two touchdowns. Each of the previous two seasons, he topped 50 catches and 600 yards.
The Chicago native was drafted in the fourth round in 2006 from the University of Michigan.
In other Panthers news, multiple media outlets reported that the team is talking with free safety Thomas DeCoud, a free agent formerly with the Atlanta Falcons.
