The Carolina Panthers have agreed to a one-year deal with free-agent defensive lineman Bruce Irvin, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Irvin split the 2018 campaign between the Oakland Raiders and Atlanta Falcons, finishing with 19 tackles, 6.5 sacks and a forced fumble. He began the season with the Raiders before being cut in early November. He then signed with the Falcons.
The 31-year-old, who played his collegiate football at West Virginia University, was originally selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round (15th pick overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.
He played in all 16 games during his rookie campaign, totaling 17 tackles, eight sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Then, the following season, Irving appeared in 12 contests, registering 45 stops, a couple of sacks, an interception and a forced fumble.
Irvin then had a breakout year of sorts during his third season, recording 43 tackles, 6.5 sacks, two picks, a forced fumble and a pair of defensive touchdowns.
The Atlanta native ultimately spent the first four years of his career with the Seahawks, winning the Super Bowl during the 2013-14 season. He then moved on to Oakland, and in his first season in the Bay, Irvin racked up 57 tackles, seven sacks and a league-leading six forced fumbles in what has been his most productive year to date.
He had a solid encore in his second season with the Raiders, posting 58 stops, eight sacks and four forced fumbles.
The Panthers are coming off a 2018 campaign in which they won just seven games in spite of a 6-2 start. With Julius Peppers retiring, Irvin will help take over as a veteran presence on the defensive line
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