Sam Martin
Getty
Bills punter Sam Martin exits Highmark Stadium on January 21, 2024.
The Carolina Panthers filled a special teams hole on Monday. According to Ian Rapoport and other NFL reports, the Panthers and Sam Martin agreed to terms on a two-year contract worth up to $5 million for the punter to stay in Carolina. Martin is represented by AthletesFirst.
Martin is a 13-year NFL veteran, and 2025 was his first season punting for Carolina. Now, after another strong season, Martin lands another contract in the NFL. He spent three seasons with the Buffalo Bills before joining the Panthers, and seven with the Detroit Lions from 2013 to 2019.
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Panthers Sign Sam Martin to Two-Year Deal
Sam Martin
GettyBills punter Sam Martin exits Highmark Stadium on January 21, 2024.
With the Panthers signing Sam Martin, one of their last positional voids has been filled with signing. Among several transactions, Carolina’s biggest signings this free agency period have been Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd.
As for Sam Martin, he was the Panthers’ punter in all 17 games last season, and punted for a 47.2 yards per punt over 56 attempts. Over the course of his 13-year career, Martin has made 811 punts for a 46.3-yard career average punt.
Martin went to college at Appalachian State and was drafted in the fifth round of the NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.
The Panthers had a bit of a stagnant offense at times last season, so bringing back a tenured, durable, reliable punter in Sam Martin could be a big boost to the special teams group, and it’s clear GM Dan Morgan values experience over youth, and that’s why he’s locking down Martin.
It’s still possible that Carolina brings in another punter before training camp, but it’s Sam Martin’s job to lose.
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Will Carolina Make Any Other Free Agent Signings?
It’s likely, aside from any further depth moves, that this is the last free agency signing for the Panthers that affects the starters on the depth chart.
A’Shawn Robinson was released, but that hole had already been filled.
Now, it’s onto the NFL Draft for the Carolina Panthers, and well, the other 31 NFL teams as well.
The tight end position is really the only position that the Panthers need to add in, and while it’s unclear if they’ll address that in the draft or by free agency, with most of the top free agents already signed across the league, the draft might be a smarter option.
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