The Carolina Panthers have re-signed defensive end Mario Addison to a three-year contract, the team announced Sunday. Addison, a potential unrestricted free agent, is now under contract with Carolina through the 2019 season.

 

“Mario has shown he is one of the best emerging pass rushers in the league and he deserves this contract,” general manager Dave Gettleman said. “He consistently affects the quarterback, and we envision an increased role for him in our defense. He’s a pro in the way he approaches the game and brings an upbeat attitude to our locker room. We’re thrilled he will continue his career with the Panthers.”

 

In 2016, Addison tallied a career-high 9.5 sacks, helping the Panthers to 47 sacks on the season, second-most in the NFL. Addison was at this best down the stretch, notching eight of his sacks in the season’s final nine weeks.

 

“My family loves it here, and I love it here, too. I’m very excited to be here,” Addison said. “The guys that I play with are like my brothers. I’ve been here since 2012, and we’ve built a great bond. The coaches are like brothers to me, too. I don’t think there’s another locker room like this. I’m just going to give it my all like I always have and continue to improve and develop into the player I know I can be.”

 

Addison was signed by the Panthers from Washington’s practice squad in December 2012, and has recorded 25.5 sacks with the team, including 22 over the past three seasons. He was part of a Carolina defensive unit that ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in total defense for four consecutive seasons from 2012-15.

 

Addison entered the NFL in 2011 with Chicago as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Troy, and played with Chicago (2011), Indianapolis (2011-12) and Washington (2012) before coming to Carolina. In six NFL seasons, Addison has played in 78 regular season games with four starts and totaled 89 tackles, 25.5 sacks, 85 quarterback pressures, five forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and two passes defensed.