Longtime Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers on Thursday and could be used at safety.
Head coach Ron Rivera has known Tillman for more than a decade — he was defensive coordinator in Chicago from 2004 to 2006 — and while the market for Tillman was not crowded, his leadership and playmaking ability are viewed as assets. The question with Tillman is health.
Each of the past two seasons ended with Tillman on injured reserve, including a season-ending triceps tear in Week 2 last season. He also tore his triceps in 2013.
The 6-foot-2 Tillman said he wants to play cornerback, but at this point in the offseason, he will have to settle for an opportunity to prove his value. In Carolina, with a young secondary, he could be fit in as a hybrid defender because of his size and length.
“I think Coach Rivera was one of the main reasons why I wanted to be here,” Tillman said in a statement. “He’s a guy that I had a lot of respect for when I was in Chicago. I love his leadership and his qualities as a coach and he’s done a good job with the Panthers. There’s a good group of guys here like Thomas Davis, Greg Olsen, Luke Kuechly and Cam Newton. I got a good vibe here.”
The 34-year-old veteran had spent his entire 12-year career with the Bears and produced 856 tackles, 36 interceptions and eight touchdowns.