The Carolina Panthers have added another running back.
Mike Tolbert, a free agent who has played his entire four-year career with the Chargers, signed with the Panthers today, his agent told the Associated Press. Multiple reports say it’s a four-year contract.
Running back was hardly a position of need for the Panthers. They already had a good 1-2 punch at the position with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, and although Tolbert is a strong goal-line back, the Panthers also already have Cam Newton, who’s a quarterback but also happens to be one of the best goal-line runners in the league.
Because of the depth the team already has at the position, there was immediate speculation after the signing was reported that Stewart could be traded. But the Charlotte Observer reports that trading Stewart is not likely, and Carolina will likely keep all three running backs.
So few teams will be as deep at running back as the Panthers this year.