The Carolina Panthers have agreed to terms with Dwan Edwards, locking up the veteran defensive tackle for at least the 2013 season, according to a report from the Charlotte Observer.
Edwards, who's 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, is coming off arguably the best season of his career when he registered six sacks, the most by a Panthers' defensive tackle since 2002, when Kris Jenkins recorded seven. Edwards joined the Panthers, his third team in eight NFL seasons, at the end of the 2012 preseason after being released by the Bills.
At the start of free agency, Edwards reportedly turned down a one-year, $1.5 million contract from the Panthers in hopes of receiving a long-term deal. The former Oregon State lineman also met with the Dolphins earlier this week.
Edwards also recorded seven quarterback hits in 2012, a figure that tied him for ninth among all defensive tackles. In Edwards previous four seasons he finished with only 5.5 sacks combined. With menacing defensive ends Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy on the edges, the Panthers ranked ninth in sacks per pass attempt last season.
After a slow start to free agency, the cap-strapped Panthers have been more active in recent days. Carolina reportedly signed former 49ers wide receiver Ted Ginn and former Bears cornerback D.J. Moore earlier this week. The Panthers also re-signed veteran cornerback Captain Munnerlyn.
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