Tahir Whitehead
FILE - In this Oct. 31, 2019, file photo, Baylor defensive coordinator Phil Snow walks the sideline in an NCAA college football game against West Virginia in Waco, Texas. Carolina Panthers new defensive coordinator Phil Snow has a monumental task ahead of him, returning the once proud Carolina defense to among the best in the league without retired linebacker Luke Kuechly. Carolina's defense is coming off a season in which they allowed 29.4 points per game, the second-most in the league. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson, File)
Snow faces huge task restoring once-proud Panthers defense

By Steve Reed Jun. 17, 2020 05:58 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 27, 2020, file photo, Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown listens during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. Brown is a likely first-round pick in the NFL draft Thursday, April 23, 2020. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)
Panthers choose Brown over Simmons with No. 7 overall pick

By Steve Reed Apr. 23, 2020 09:26 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019, file photo, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) scrambles as Carolina Panthers linebacker Mario Addison (97) rushes during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers will look to upgrade their defense in the NFL draft after losing nine starters from last year’s unit, including five-time All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly. Edge rusher Addison and top cornerback James Bradberry left via free agency, while veteran safety Eric Reid was released. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Panthers expected to turn attention to defense in NFL draft

By Steve Reed Apr. 16, 2020 12:21 PM EDT

Panthers expected to focus attention on defense in NFL draft

By The Associated Press Apr. 15, 2020 11:00 AM EDT
7. CAROLINA (5-11) LAST SEASON: Panthers lost Cam Newton to injury two games in and still managed to be 5-3 at midway point before losing...

FILE - In this Feb. 8, 2020, file photo, Houston Roughnecks quarterback P.J. Walker (11) looks to pass as he scrambles during an XFL football game in Houston. A person familiar with the situation says the Panthers have agreed to terms on contracts with former XFL quarterback P.J. Walker of the Houston Roughnecks and former Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday, March 23, 2020, because the moves have not been announced by the team since the players have yet to pass physicals. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson, File)
AP sources: QB moves: Panthers add XFL's Walker, trade Allen

By Steve Reed Mar. 23, 2020 02:06 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 25, 2019, file photo, Philadelphia Eagles strong safety Malcolm Jenkins speaks with members of the media at the NFL football team's training camp, in Philadelphia. Veteran defensive backs and team leaders Richard Sherman of San Francisco and Malcolm Jenkins of Philadelphia are among 32 nominees for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.(AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Sherman, Jenkins among 32 nominees for NFL Man Of Year award

By The Associated Press Dec. 12, 2019 09:00 AM EST

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs against Oakland Raiders free safety D.J. Swearinger (21) and defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
Tennessee Titans at Oakland Raiders 12/8/2019

Dec. 08, 2019 04:49 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) intercepts a pass intended for Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs 12/1/2019

Dec. 01, 2019 04:52 PM EST

Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden watches his team warm up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Oakland Raiders at New York Jets 11/24/2019

Nov. 24, 2019 01:08 PM EST

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) passes against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Detroit Lions at Oakland Raiders 11/3/2019

Nov. 03, 2019 04:37 PM EST

Houston Texans cornerback Lonnie Johnson (32) breaks up a pass intended for Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans 10/27/2019

Oct. 27, 2019 04:38 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2019, file photo, Oakland Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) runs to help make the stop on a rushing play during an NFL football game, in Oakland, Calif. Burfict has been suspended for the rest of the season for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle, on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019. NFL Vice President of football operations Jon Runyan announced the suspension Monday.(AP Photo/Peter Joneleit, FIle)
Burfict's appeal of suspension for rest of season denied

By Josh Dubow Oct. 09, 2019 05:33 PM EDT

Oakland Raiders' quarterback Derek Carr attends a press conference after a practice session at the Grove Hotel in Chandler's Cross, Watford, England, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019. The Oakland Raiders are preparing for an NFL regular season game against the Chicago Bears in London on Sunday. (AP Photo/Leila Coker)
Bears star Khalil Mack prepares for reunion vs. Raiders

By Josh Dubow Oct. 03, 2019 02:07 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, file photo, Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict gets set for a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, in Minneapolis. Burfict has been suspended for the rest of the season for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle, on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019. NFL Vice President of football operations Jon Runyan announced the suspension Monday. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)
NFL suspends Raiders' Vontaze Burfict for rest of season

By Josh Dubow Sep. 30, 2019 12:25 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, left, talks with Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 34-14. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Raiders look to rebound after back-to-back lopsided losses

By Josh Dubow Sep. 23, 2019 06:30 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 20, 2019 file photo, Oakland Raiders' Antonio Brown smiles before stretching during NFL football practice in Alameda, Calif. Brown was released by the Raiders, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
Raiders prepare for opener vs. Broncos without Brown

By Josh Dubow Sep. 08, 2019 12:37 PM EDT

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and teammates warm up for an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)
Packers-Raiders game being played on 80-yard field

Aug. 22, 2019 08:54 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2018, file photo, Denver Broncos inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) lines up against Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Chris Hubbard (74) during the first half of an NFL football game in Denver. The Oakland Raiders filled two more holes on their depth chart Thursday, March 28, 2019, by signing linebacker Brandon Marshall and running back Isaiah Crowell to one-year contracts. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
Raiders sign LB Brandon Marshall, RB Isaiah Crowell

By Josh Dubow Mar. 28, 2019 05:39 PM EDT