Jets free agent wide receiver Robby Anderson has signed with the Carolina Panthers.
Anderson and the Panthers agreed on a two-year, $20 million deal with $12 million in guaranteed money on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. In Carolina, Anderson reunites with his former college head coach Matt Rhule.
Anderson signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent out of Temple in 2016. He entered training camp fighting for the fifth spot on the depth chart and won the spot thanks to a strong preseason in which he led all players in receiving yards. Anderson not only earned a spot on New York’s 53-man roster, but climbed up the depth chart as the year went on and finished his rookie season with 42 receptions for 587 yards and two touchdowns.
The 2017 season was Anderson’s breakout year, as he nearly eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark with 63 receptions for 941 yards and seven touchdowns. His production took a hit in 2018, but Anderson still managed to lead the Jets in receiving with 50 receptions for 752 yards and six touchdowns in his first season working with Sam Darnold. Anderson’s numbers in 2019 were similar to that of the year before, as he hauled in 52 passes for 779 yards and five touchdowns.
Anderson finishes his career with the Jets with 207 receptions for 3,059 yards and 20 touchdowns.
With Anderson off to Carolina, Jets general manager Joe Douglas now has to find Darnold a new No. 1 receiver to throw to. Free agent options such as Nelson Agholor and Paul Richardson remain, but with a deep crop of receivers looming in the 2020 NFL draft class, there is a chance Douglas waits until late April to address the position.