As the league moves toward Week 2, and veteran's base salaries don't have to be fully guaranteed, a former Lion has found a new home. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Carolina Panthers plan to sign edge rusher Charles Harris.
Harris signed with the Lions as a free agent in 2021, after four unimpressive years to start his career (three with the Miami Dolphins; one with the Atlanta Falcons). He rescued his career from fully careening into first-round bust territory with a team (and career) high 7,5 sacks that season. The Lions rewarded that breakthrough with a two-year contract in 2022, but he was not very productive the following season before an injury eventually landed him on IR.
Harris took a pay cut to stay in Detroit in 2023, but the subsequent season was no better. He was made a healthy scratch for the first time in Week 7, and after that all the way through the playoffs he played just 65 snaps (11 snaps from Week 14 on, over three games played).
Being deemed unable to help an edge rusher situation that needed all the help it could get last season said it all about Harris' future in Detroit as he headed for free agency.
Charles Harris getting a chance with worst team in the NFL
As reported by ESPN's David Newton, the Panthers had Harris in for a workout last week, so the move to sign him is not a total shock. He also has a tie to Carolina's defensive line coach, as Todd Wash had the same job with the Lions in 2021 and 2022.
Lingering available for as long as he did (understandably so), with no known interest until now, it seemed like Harris' NFL career could be over. His production on a prove-it deal with the Lions in 2021 extended his career when it was on the ropes, so maybe he can squeeze more time out of a shot with the worst team in the league this year. Neither side has anything to lose, that's for sure.