/Panthers Sign Three To Contract Extensions

Panthers Sign Three To Contract Extensions

The Carolina Panthers have signed defensive end Mario Addison and safety Colin Jones to two-year contract extensions, and tackle Nate Chandler to a three-year contract extension, the team announced Wednesday.

A veteran of three NFL seasons, Addison had the best season of his career in 2013. He played in 16 games with two starts and posted 14 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 15 quarterback pressures, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery – all career highs. He contributed to a unit that ranked second in the NFL in total defense and points allowed and led the league in sacks while finishing second in rushing defense and sixth in passing defense. Addison also contributed on special teams, tying for the team lead with 10 special teams tackles.

Chandler started the final eight games regular season games and one postseason game for the Panthers in 2013, his first season on the offensive line after playing as a defensive lineman as a rookie in 2012. Chandler cleared paths for the Panthers to rush for more than 100 yards in seven of the last eight regular season games and contributed to an offense that ranked fourth in the NFL in third-down efficiency, fifth in time of possession, second in drives lasting five-plus minutes and tied for seventh in drives of 10 plays or more.

Jones has been a special teams regular for the Panthers since joining the team in 2012 after being acquired from San Francisco in exchange for a seventh-round draft choice. Last season, Jones tied for the team lead with 10 special teams tackles after posting 11 special teams stops in 2012.