Somehow, an 11th-year wideout-turned-tight end has become one of the best stories in a developmental season for the Carolina Panthers.
On Thursday, the team officially signed Jordan Matthews to their 53-man roster. The 32-year-old made his way back into the picture after being released during Carolina’s initial roster cutdown on Tuesday and subsequently added to the practice squad the next afternoon.
But this week’s little journey is just a microcosm of Matthews’ career in Charlotte—as he looks to make a significant mark in a possible return from irrelevancy.
I sought the Lord.. and He heard.. and He answered! #MoreToDo #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/KvU6zfyzf6
— Jordan Matthews (@jmattjmattjmatt) August 29, 2024
A second-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles back in 2014, Matthews became an immediate contributor at the NFL level. Over his first three pro campaigns, he reeled in 225 receptions for 2,673 yards and 19 touchdowns—hitting the eight-score mark in two of those years and the 800-yard mark in each.
His career would then begin to slow down beginning in 2017, when he was traded to the Buffalo Bills in a deal for cornerback Ronald Darby. He would amass just 282 receiving yards that season, 300 in 2018 and 33 in 2019.
Matthews has yet to record a single regular-season yard since.
The outlook, however, has started to brighten a bit in Carolina—where the veteran has become a well-respected member of the locker room. Much of that respect has been earned under a new coaching regime this offseason, through noteworthy practices in training camp and productive performances in the preseason.
Week 1 of exhibition play saw Matthews lead the Panthers with 48 receiving yards. The finale in Buffalo, ironically enough, would then serve as the cherry on top of a standout summer—as he ended the offense’s most impressive possession of the preseason with an 8-yard touchdown catch from starting quarterback Bryce Young.
Really impressive to see Jordan Matthews still hanging around in the NFL.
Switched positions too. Incredible. pic.twitter.com/fau2geWoef https://t.co/NaDqUARMaT
— A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) August 29, 2024
Forecasting Matthews’ role moving forward is a bit difficult. He’s certainly at the end of the pecking order with the Panthers likely to feature fourth-year vet Tommy Tremble and, perhaps, 2024 fourth-round pick Ja’Tavion Sanders at the tight end position.
For now, however, we’ll keep enjoying the comeback story while it lasts.
