Report: Panthers signing safety Nick Scott to one-year deal

The Carolina Panthers made a defensive move in free agency on Friday. The franchise agreed to a one-year deal with former Bengals and Rams safety Nick Scott, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The 28-year-old has ties with Ejiro Evero on the Carolina coaching staff.

Eviro has been the defensive coordinator on the Panthers since February of 2023. Carolina had one of the best defenses in the National Football League last year–only surrendering 293.9 yards per game. That was good enough to rank them fourth in the NFL. The team as a whole struggled mightily last year, going 2-15 overall. The franchise hired former Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Dave Canales this offseason, in the hopes of improving their offense and team as a whole.

Last season, Canales guided Baker Mayfield to one of his most successful seasons in his NFL career after he threw for over 4,000 yards to go along with 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

More on the career of Nick Scott

Scott was originally a seventh-round pick for the LA Rams in 2019. He played his college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions. In his final two seasons with PSU, Scott settled into his permanent position at safety. His senior year there he racked up 65 tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery, and he also tied for the team lead with three interceptions. Against Appalachian State, Scott racked up a career-best nine tackles, tallying his first career sack, and he also had a tackle for loss, and pass breakup.

Against Michigan, Scott became the first player in PSU history to block a field goal since Troy Apke did it in 2017 (vs. Iowa). His junior season with the Nittany Lions, he finally made his first start on the defensive side of the ball against Maryland on November 25th.

For his efforts, the Virginia native won honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in 2018. Scott also won the Big Ten’s Sportsmanship Award.

In high school, the versatile football star played a variety of positions, running back, quarterback, wide receiver, linebacker, safety, and he also returned kicks. As a senior at Fairfax High (Fairfax, Virginia), he rushed for 1,582 yards on 182 carries. In his time lining up at quarterback, he also threw for 511 yards with three touchdowns. As a receiver, he hauled in 11 catches for 129 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Scott also brought home all-state honors his senior year, as well as first team All-Metro honors. His junior year, he ran for 981 yards and 12 touchdowns.