Charles Tillman suffered a season-ending triceps injury in Week 2 last season, but that isn't keeping him from making a run at a 13th NFL campaign.
The Carolina Panthers announced on Thursday that they have signed Tillman to a one-year, $1.75 million deal.
Ranked No. 86 on Around The NFL's Top 101 free agents list, Tillman is coming off his second torn triceps in as many seasons. While former coach Marc Trestman considered Tillman to be playing at a Pro Bowl level before his injury, Trestman is long gone and the Bears are moving in a different direction on defense. That leaves the cornerback affectionately known as "Peanut" to pursue another season elsewhere, and he's heading toward a familiar face.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera served as the Bears' defensive coordinator from 2004-2006 -- Tillman's second, third and fourth seasons in Chicago -- so it would make sense that the coach would want to at least explore adding one of his former secondary stalwarts. At 6-foot-2, Tillman is a tall corner who would match up well against the NFC South's abundance of tall receivers (Mike Evans, Julio Jones and Vincent Jackson, to name a few).
Due to the recurring triceps injuries, Tillman hasn't put together a solid year since 2012, and at 34, the odds aren't exactly in his favor. But this also isn't the first offseason in which we've pondered his future. He's received little interest so far, but for the right price, he could squeeze out a productive campaign for a Super Bowl contender.
Tillman says he's as hungry as ever -- plus, he made Dan Hanzus' free-agent leftover team. Carolina's fairly young secondary could use his experience and contributions as a third corner.
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