A recent Carolina Panthers addition explains why he re-signed with the team this week.
The Carolina Panthers are set to open up training camp this week as preparation for the upcoming season will begin. With Carolina getting the extra week of practice, Dave Canales and his staff will have the opportunity to evaluate the roster.
Ahead of training camp, the Panthers did make a move to bring back a veteran offensive lineman. They signed Brady Christensen to a one year deal, adding some more depth to the line.
With Christensen's versatility, the Panthers could use him in a few different spots which likely was a reason why they brought him back. But it was valuable for Christensen as well as he's familiar with the franchise.
Just a few days after he officially signed, Christensen revealed just why he returned to Carolina.
Here is what he said to Panthers.com about his return:
"You know, I think it's cliché, but it really does feel like a family here," he stated, via team reporter Darin Gantt. "And that's hard to do in the NFL because everyone's coming and going and there's a lot of change and a lot of turnover.
"But I came walking back here, and I felt like I was coming back to my family, and I mean that. And so I'm very grateful, and I think that's the biggest change from maybe the previous years, we're just one big family that we're going to go out there and compete together."
Christensen played his college football at BYU, earning All-American honors. He was then selected by the Panthers in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He didn't play much as a rookie but then took over as the starter at left guard in 2022. Christensen started in all 17 games at left guard that season.
Carolina added Rasheed Walker in free agency and then drafted Monroe Freeling in the 2026 NFL Draft, hoping to address their tackle spot. But now with Christensen, they have the chance to play him in a few different spots and let him compete for a starting job potentially in training camp.
It will certainly be a story to monitor throughout training camp.
