Former Tennessee defensive tackle Shy Tuttle reached a deal with the Carolina Panthers on Monday afternoon.
Tuttle lands a three-year, $19.5 million deal with Carolina that includes $13 million guaranteed once the contract is signed, per ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Former Saints DT Shy Tuttle reached agreement with the Panthers on a three-year, $19.5 million deal that includes $13 million guaranteed at signing, per source. Deal confirmed and negotiated by Drew Rosenhaus and Kyle Lincoln.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2023
Tuttle’s deal comes two hours after the free agency window opened Monday at Noon.
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The former Tennessee defensive lineman has spent the first four years of his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints, where Tuttle started 29 of 34 games in the past two seasons. The VFL has shown impressive durability as well, only missing three games in his career.
Tuttle is coming off a career year with New Orleans in 2022, setting career-highs in tackles (49), sacks (2), pass breakups (5) and QB hits (3).
Entering his age 28 season, Tuttle joins a young and improving Panthers defense. Additionally, Carolina is positioned well to build off of an impressive 5-3 finish to the 2022 regular season. The Panthers have brought in proven offensive mind Frank Reich as head coach and have the No. 1 overall pick, giving them plenty of potential to win a weak NFC South in 2023.
Tuttle played at Tennessee from 2015-2018 and emerged as a significant contributor on the defensive line in his last two seasons on Rocky Top. The Midway, North Carolina, native totaled 60 tackles in his final two years of college ball and five-and-a-half tackles for loss.
