The Panthers were active for the first time in three weeks announcing three players joining the squad. The Panthers signed, Offensive Linemen Ryan Nelson, Wide Receiver Myron Mitchell, and Outside Linebacker Leon Jacobs on December 13th. Additionally, the Panthers made another transaction as they traded Myron Mitchell for Kyle Markway, A Tight End from South Carolina who recently won a Super Bowl with the Rams as a member of their Practice Squad.

Leon Jacobs is the most experienced addition of this batch of signings. A 7th round pick out of Wisconsin, Jacobs spent four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars before being cut during 2021 training camp. Jacobs appeared in 29 games totaling 66 tackles during his time in the NFL. Jacobs joining the Panthers is his first contract with a spring league team.

Ryan Nelson comes to the Panthers after five years at the University of Virginia. The 6’6 Tackle started 49 games in college but went undrafted in the 2022 NFL draft. After a short stint with the Giants during rookie mini-camp Nelson has been off the NFL radar. Nelson’s versatility between being able to play Guard and Tackle makes him an instant asset for the Panthers.

The newest addition to the team is Kyle Markway. A Missouri native, Markway appeared in 38 games with the South Carolina Gamecocks, recording 37 Receptions for 459 Yards and 3 Touchdowns. Markway would spend the next three seasons bouncing around with four NFL teams. Most recently Markway was released by the Rams in August and now takes his talents to the Panthers for his first time in a spring league. Markway’s addition to the Panthers may signal a Tight End room that appears to be going through some transition in the 2023 season.

As the season begins gets closer, look for the Panthers and all USFL rosters to continue to change. With many USFL possibly “opting out” of their contracts come 12/31 and the XFL supplemental draft set for the first week of January, the Panthers could be a completely different team. Regardless with the Panthers returning the majority of their coaching staff returning the Panthers appear to be in good hands for the 2023 season.