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Ever wondered if a fresh face can really change the defensive fate of a team? The Carolina Panthers seem to be betting on just that as they unveiled veteran linebacker Krys Barnes following their recent Fan Fest at Bank of America Stadium—a move that’s stirring quite the buzz. Barnes, with six years of NFL grind under his belt and experience from the Packers to the Cardinals, arrives amid a linebacker room that’s seen some serious shake-ups. It’s a fascinating pivot for a Panthers squad hungry to plug the holes left by departures like Shaq Thompson. Whether Barnes can morph from special teams stalwart to defensive cornerstone remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: Carolina is rolling the dice with a seasoned player hungry to reclaim his spotlight. Intrigued? You should be.

The Carolina Panthers addressed their evolving linebacker situation on Sunday with a strategic addition aimed at bolstering depth and experience.

Following Fan Fest at Bank of America Stadium, the team announced the signing of veteran Krys Barnes, bringing in a player who has built his NFL career on adaptability and consistent production.

Barnes enters his sixth NFL season after spending time with both the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals.

Panthers make a change at linebackerhttps://t.co/hwFDZtVISB

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 3, 2025

The UCLA product went undrafted in 2020 but quickly carved out a role in Green Bay’s defense. He recorded 161 tackles while starting 23 of 29 games during his first two seasons with the Packers.

His role diminished in 2022 before moving to Arizona, where he spent the past two years primarily contributing on special teams.

Barnes logged 509 total snaps for the Cardinals in 2024, with 304 of those coming on special teams coverage units.

The signing comes as Carolina works to reshape its linebacker room following significant departures.

The Panthers released longtime starter Shaq Thompson and veteran Josey Jewell earlier this offseason, leaving Christian Rozeboom as a projected starter and creating depth questions across the position.

To create roster space for Barnes, Carolina waived rookie linebacker Tuasivi Nomura.

The undrafted Fresno State product had been with the team since spring workouts but became a casualty of the roster shuffle.

Barnes brings versatility that should help Carolina in multiple areas.

His experience in different defensive systems and proven special-teams value make him a natural fit for what the Panthers need.

The move represents a calculated gamble on a player looking to reestablish his defensive role while providing Carolina with experienced depth at minimal risk.

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