Panthers DE Addison signs three-year contract

[February 27, 2017]  The Sports Xchange

The Carolina Panthers re-signed defensive end Mario Addison to a three-year contract on Sunday, the team announced.

Financial terms were not disclosed by the team for Addison, who is now under contract with Carolina through the 2019 season.

"Mario has shown he is one of the best emerging pass rushers in the league and he deserves this contract," general manager Dave Gettleman said in a news release. "He consistently affects the quarterback, and we envision an increased role for him in our defense. He's a pro in the way he approaches the game and brings an upbeat attitude to our locker room."

Addison, a potential unrestricted free agent, tallied a career-high 9.5 sacks this past season. He notched eight of his sacks in the season's final nine weeks.

"My family loves it here, and I love it here, too. I'm very excited to be here," Addison said.

Addison was signed by the Panthers from Washington's practice squad in December 2012, and he has recorded 25.5 sacks with Carolina -- including 22 over the past three seasons.

He was part of a Carolina defensive unit that ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in total defense for four consecutive seasons from 2012-15.

Addison, an undrafted rookie free agent out of Troy, had stops in Chicago (2011), Indianapolis (2011-12) and Washington (2012) before coming to Carolina.

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