The Panthers have agreed to terms with tight end Feleipe Franks and outside linebacker Nick Hampton, the team announced Friday night. Both are core special teams players.
Franks, 28, will sign a one-year deal.
He returns for a second stint with the Panthers, having played 16 games with the team in 2024.
The former University of Florida quarterback converted to tight end but has made a living on special teams. He has 128 snaps of offense in four seasons but has played 731 snaps of special teams.
The Rams made Hampton a fifth-round pick in 2023 out of Appalachian State, and he played 36 games in the past three seasons.
He has totaled 17 tackles and two passes defensed in his career, seeing action on 188 defensive snaps and 510 on special teams.
Wide receiver DJ Chark announced his retirement on Friday.
Chark has not played in the NFL since 2024, remaining a free agent all of the 2025 season after the Falcons released him during training camp.
“After much contemplation, I have decided to share a proper farewell as I navigate retirement,” Chark wrote on social media.
“My journey began at the age of 7 when I signed up for football, unaware of the profound impact it would have on my life. I simply loved the sport and had the unwavering support of my parents. Years later, I received the support of my wife, kids, family and thousands of fans!
“As I write this I reflect on the challenges I’ve faced and overcome, as well as the rewards I’ve reaped. I’ve learned to appreciate every experience and not take any of them for granted. As I enter this next chapter of my life, I remain committed to being an active pillar in my community, empowering the youth through charitable work.”
Chark played four seasons with the Jaguars after they made him a second-round pick in 2018. He also played with the Lions, Panthers and Chargers.
He finishes his career with 216 receptions for 3,100 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Chark made his only Pro Bowl in 2019 in his only season with 1,000 yards.
The Panthers have received trade interest in Andy Dalton the entire offseason. After signing Kenny Pickett last week to back up Bryce Young, the team finally pulled the trigger on a trade.
Dalton, 38, is headed to the Eagles in exchange for a 2027 seventh-round pick, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The 15-year veteran joins Tanner McKee behind Jalen Hurts.
Dalton has spent the past three seasons in Carolina, making seven starts. He has 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
He has started 169 games in his career, but he has not been a full-time starter since 2022 with the Saints, when he started 14 games. He has made a living as a backup quarterback since leaving the Bengals after the 2019 season.
The Panthers’ trade of Dalton is the league’s 18th trade since the start of the new league year last week. In 2025, there were 15 trades from the start of the league year to the NFL draft, per Schefter.
The Panthers are bringing in another running back.
Carolina announced on Wednesday that the club has agreed to terms with AJ Dillon on a one-year deal.
Dillon, 27, spent last season with the Eagles after playing his first five seasons with the Packers. He appeared in just seven games, recording 60 yards rushing on 12 carries. He also caught three passes for 21 yards.
A second-round pick in 2020, Dillon’s best season came in 2021 when he registered 1,116 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns.
A neck injury prematurely ended his 2024 season, as he was placed on injured reserve in August and was out for the year.
In his 67 career games with 11 starts, Dillon has totaled 2,488 yards rushing with 16 touchdowns and caught 89 passes for 784 yards with two TDs.
The Panthers signed quarterback Kenny Pickett last week to back up Bryce Young, and Pickett says he’s confident he’s the right man for the job.
“I think [Bryce and I are] very similar in how we play,” Pickett said, via Kassidy Hill of Panthers.com. “I think we both operate well from the pocket, and when things break down, we can make plays on the move. I think Coach [Dave Canales] does a lot of things play action-wise, boots, you get out on the edge, and we both can throw the ball well on the run. So, I think I think we kind of complement each other in what we do. We’re excited to learn more about how he sees things, talk X’s and O’s, and get to know him better as a person first. But yeah, I think it’s definitely exciting being in a room where you feel like we kind of play the same way and we kind of, the same mold of what they’re looking for here.”
Pickett has known Young since 2021, when they were both finalists for the Heisman Trophy. (Young won the award; Pickett finished third.) Pickett said a friendship developed there.
“We spent a lot of time together at the Heisman,” Pickett said. “Obviously, being on the Heisman stage together is special, you know, not everybody can say that. He’s a great guy, I really respect him, his game, and what he’s done so far in his career. Just looking forward to adding another element to the quarterback room, and you know. Championship. That’s the goal.”
A couple months after meeting Young at the Heisman ceremony, Pickett met Canales because Canales — then the Seahawks’ quarterbacks coach — was getting to know Pickett as part of the Seahawks’ draft preparations. The Seahawks didn’t draft Pickett, but Canales made an impression on him.
“I was really excited about the opportunity to play for him four years ago, and now that I had a chance to play in the NFL and I watched a lot of tape throughout the weeks and Panthers and he was in Tampa and Seattle, seeing all the different things that he does, I feel like I fit it really well.”
