Sam Martin, who served as the Buffalo Bills’ punter during the 2022 through 20224 NFL seasons, signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers today. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the signing, and the Panthers confirmed it.
Given that Martin, 35, was released by the Bills last week, he was free to sign an official contract at any time. Rapoport reports that the deal is worth up to $3 million this season. Martin was slated to count $2.485 million against the cap had he remained with the Bills, and the team will carry a $400,000 dead cap charge as a result of his release.
Martin was towards the bottom of the league in net punting average over the last two years, finishing third from the bottom among qualifiers this year and seventh from the bottom among qualifiers in 2023. Where Martin was very good, however, was pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line. He was eleventh in percentage of punts landed inside the 20 in 2024 and fourth in 2023.
Martin is the second Bills free agent to sign a deal elsewhere. Wide receiver Mack Hollins reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with the New England Patriots worth up to $10.4 million.