Carolina Panthers sign formerly retired Lions defensive tackle John Penisini
The Carolina Panthers have reportedly signed former Detroit Lions nose tackle John Penisini out of retirement for the 2023 season. NFL agent David Carter announced the news of Penisini’s deal on Twitter over the weekend.
A sixth-round draft pick out of Utah in 2020, retired after just two seasons for what seemed to be health issues.
His retirement came as a surprise after he racked up 12 starts and 49 tackles, and one sack in 32 games for the Lions. Detroit went on to release him from the retired list, opening him up as a free agent. He initially signed with the Lions on a four-year deal for $3.46 million.
“John Penisini had what looked like softballs in his shoulder that he had repaired after the season after the fact,” Detroit head coach Dan Campbell shared in a press conference last year. “It just looked like a bunch of calcium deposits that had been in there. You wonder why when you watch the film last year why he’s not using his arm. It’s because he had issues. It’s a credit to him playing through it and all of those things.”
In response to his agent’s post on Twitter with the news of his return, Penisini tweeted, “Run it back,” with a prayer hands emoji.
Penisini will provide some needed depth on the Panthers defensive line. In another major offseason move, the Panthers signed former Saints defensive lineman Shy Tuttle on a three-year deal worth $19.5 million.
More on the 2023 NFL offseason, free agency
Of course, the biggest move Carolina has made this offseason was to trade for the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft. Carolina shipped DJ Moore, along with the No. 9 and No. 61 picks and future first and second-round selections, to Chicago last month for the right to draft first in 2023.
The NFL 2023 calendar year began at 4 p.m. ET on March 15. At that time, contracts running through 2022 officially ran out, making those players free agents. There were 722 players due to hit free agency in 2023.
Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams had a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 7.
The legal negotiation period spanned from March 13 through March 15. The new year marked the beginning of all trades going official per the league office. April 21 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 26, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits.