Report: Panthers signing Wharton to 3-year deal worth up to $54M

The Carolina Panthers are signing defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton to a three-year deal worth over $45 million, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Wharton can also earn up to $9 million in incentives, Garafolo adds. He's been with Kansas City since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2020.

The 26-year-old suited up in 17 games last season with 10 starts, setting career highs in sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (7) while playing 61% of the defensive snaps. He also added 1.5 sacks during the Chiefs' playoff run.

Wharton should add pass-rush help to a Panthers interior defensive line that struggled to get after the quarterback in 2024. Derrick Brown, one of the Panthers' highest-paid players, suffered a season-ending injury just one game into the campaign. Jayden Peevy led all of Carolina's defensive tackles with 1.5 sacks.

Wharton has 114 tackles and 13.5 sacks in 72 career contests.