Report: Panthers bolster OL with Hunt, Lewis signings

The Carolina Panthers and former Miami Dolphins guard Robert Hunt agreed to a five-year, $100-million free-agent deal, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

The Panthers are also expected to sign former Seattle Seahawks guard Damien Lewis to a four-year, $53-million deal with $26.2 million guaranteed, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Hunt's deal contains $63 million in guaranteed money, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. The 27-year-old's average salary of $20 million ranks third among guards behind Landon Dickerson - who signed a four-year extension Monday worth a position-record $21 million per season - and Chris Lindstrom.

Hunt was a second-round pick in 2020 and has appeared in 61 contests (55 starts) in four seasons. He missed games due to injury for the first time last campaign, sitting out six times due to multiple knee ailments.

Lewis started 61 games for the Seahawks after being drafted in the third round in 2020.

Reinforcing Bryce Young's protection was one of Carolina's biggest offseason needs after the quarterback took 62 sacks as a rookie, the second most in the NFL.

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