The Carolina Panthers have addressed a significant gap in their lineup by agreeing on a two-year contract with outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum, confirmed by the player’s agent, Deiric Johnson. Details of the contract were not immediately disclosed.
This move comes as the Panthers sought to bolster their pass rush following the departure of key players like outside linebacker Brian Burns, who was traded to the New York Giants, and the losses of Frankie Luvu to Washington and Yetur Gross-Matos to San Francisco in free agency.
At 26 years old, Wonnum brings four seasons of NFL experience, all with the Minnesota Vikings. He has started in half of the 62 games he has played, including 14 last season. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 258 pounds, Wonnum has racked up 171 tackles and 23 sacks throughout his career, with eight sacks in the previous season alone.
In addition to securing Wonnum, the Panthers are actively pursuing other notable pass rushers. Meetings have been scheduled with San Francisco’s Chase Young and Baltimore’s Jadeveon Clowney on Thursday, though no agreements have been finalized.
