​On Friday morning, the Carolina Panthers brought back a familiar face and a proven piece of their offensive line depth, announcing that they had re-signed offensive lineman Brady Christensen to a one-year contract. The move gives Carolina another experienced option up front as the team continues to shape its roster ahead of training camp.
Christensen, a former third-round pick by the Panthers, had remained available on the open market into the summer before ultimately returning to Carolina. The 29-year-old lineman is now back with the franchise after being cleared from the Achilles injury he suffered during the middle of the 2025 season. His return adds versatility to the Panthers’ offensive line, as Christensen has experience playing multiple spots across the front during his time in Carolina.
The Panthers have made a clear effort this offseason to retain several players from last year’s roster, and Christensen becomes the 15th member of the 2025 team to re-sign with Carolina. His return continues a trend of the organization keeping familiar depth pieces in place while also working to build continuity under the current coaching staff.
While Christensen is officially back in the fold, the Panthers still have a few of their own free agents remaining unsigned as training camp approaches. With most of the offseason roster work already complete, only a small group of players from last season’s Carolina team are still waiting for their next opportunity.
The Panthers players from the 2025 roster who remain unsigned ahead of training camp are offensive lineman Jake Curhan, linebacker Krys Barnes and cornerback Damarri Mathis.
Of that group, Curhan saw the most action for the Panthers last season. The 6-foot-6, 313-pound offensive lineman appeared in 13 games for Carolina and provided depth along the offensive front. He also made one start at right guard in the Panthers’ Week 13 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Curhan’s experience and size could still make him a useful depth option for a team in need of offensive line help, whether that opportunity comes in Carolina or elsewhere around the league.
Barnes also contributed during the 2025 season, appearing in seven games with three starts. The linebacker finished the year with 23 combined tackles and half a sack, giving the Panthers some rotational support on defense. Barnes has shown he can step into the lineup when needed, and his special teams value could also help him attract interest before or during training camp.
Mathis, meanwhile, did not appear in a game last season after suffering a torn ACL in early September. The injury sidelined him for the entire campaign and likely impacted his free-agent market. When healthy, Mathis offers experience in the secondary, but teams may want to see where he stands physically before making a commitment. His status will be worth monitoring as training camps get underway and clubs evaluate their cornerback depth.
Carolina’s decision to bring back Christensen gives the Panthers another familiar veteran as they prepare for the upcoming season. Offensive line depth is always a priority, and Christensen’s ability to line up at different positions could make him valuable during camp and the preseason. His recovery from the Achilles injury will be one of the more important storylines to watch as he works his way back into the mix.
For the Panthers, the re-signing also reflects the team’s broader roster-building approach. While Carolina has added new faces throughout the offseason, it has also placed value on retaining players who already understand the system and locker room. Christensen fits that mold, and his return gives the Panthers another experienced option as competition ramps up.
Even after Christensen’s new deal, Curhan, Barnes and Mathis remain unsigned among Carolina’s internal free agents from last season. As training camp nears, their futures remain uncertain, but each player brings some level of NFL experience that could eventually lead to another opportunity.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Carolina Panthers news, roster updates, training camp coverage and NFL offseason content.