The off-season has kept Panthers GM Steve Kazor extremely busy over the past several weeks. After signing one of their draft picks and then going back-to-back weeks “reloading” their Offensive Line, the Panthers personnel department looked to the Defensive Side this week for the first time this off-season. This week the Panthers signed Sean Mahone a Safety whose been with the team since 2022.

Mahone originally began his pro career with the Jacksonville Jaguars after the 2022 NFL Draft, only to get released on May 17th. On June 3rd, 2022, Mahone joined the Panthers as a reserve Defensive Back, only to be thrust into the starting lineup in 2023. Mahone totaled 51 tackles this past season, becoming one of the Panthers most dependable defenders for Mike Nolan in 2023.

Panthers on the Move:

While Michigan was able to retain Mahone, they may see an exodus of their players depart from the USFL to the NFL in the next couple days. Over the past several days the Panthers have seen Nine of their players earn NFL workouts with the team announcing that mid-season signee WR Kaden Davis, was released due to him being offered an NFL Contract. Davis recently worked out with the Cardinals however, a team has not been announced.

Currently the Panthers roster sits at 58, after Davis’s release. Overall, Eight USFL players have been signed to NFL contracts with Six players officially announced to their respective NFL teams. With NFL training camp fully underway, look for injuries to open the flood gates for USFL players joining the ranks of the NFL, and possibly changing the landscape of the 2024 USFL season.