The Carolina Panthers announced they have signed free agent defensive end Chris Smith to a one-year contract. It’s a new chapter for Smith, who spent 2018 and most of the 2019 season with the Cleveland Browns.
Smith played sparingly for the Browns last fall, recording just one tackle in limited duty over nine games. He had played all 16 in 2018, his first year in Cleveland after coming over from the rival Cincinnati Bengals.
Smith was released midseason after struggling to deal with the tragic death of his girlfriend in a car accident on a Cleveland-area freeway in September. He is a native of the Charlotte area and returning home to play for the Panthers.
