Former Pitt All-American DE Inks NFL Deal with Panthers

Former Pitt All-American defensive end Patrick Jones II secured a new NFL contract on the open market after signing with the Carolina Panthers.

Jones inked a two-year deal worth $20 million on Monday, per a report from Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz.

Breaking: Free agent DE Patrick Jones II to the #Panthers on a 2-year deal worth up to $20M, per source. pic.twitter.com/4cNUHUm4sI

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 10, 2025

The 6-foot-4, 264-pound Jones spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings, a team that selected him in the third round (90th overall) of the 2021 draft.

Jones has steadily improved over each season as an outside linebacker and has generated a nice pro career up to this point with 2024 resulting in his best season yet earning him a nice pay day in free agency.

During the 2024 season, Jones put together career highs in tackles with 39 and sacks with seven this past season, while also forcing a fumble, recording 12 quarterback hits and nine tackles for loss. He opened the 2024 season with back-to-back games with two sacks coming against the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.

In his four seasons with the Vikings, Jones accumulated 105 total tackles (61 solo) and 12 sacks.

The Chesapeake, Va. native spent five seasons from 2016-2020 with the Pitt Panthers as he became an integral piece on the defensive line during his final three seasons.

As a redshirt sophomore, Jones started seeing an increase in playing time as he appeared in all 14 games as a top reserve. He registered 23 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and one forced fumble.

By 2019, Jones was making a big impact off the edge for the Panthers as he was named to the All-ACC Second Team, while earning honorable All-American recognition from Phil Steele and Pro Football Focus. His 12 tackles for loss were tied for a team high. He also contributed 43 tackles, 8.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and 18 quarterback hurries.

In his final season with the Panthers, Jones was a consensus All-American, earning First-Team nods from NCAA selectors Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. He was an All-ACC First-Team honoree as he led the conference and ranked fifth in the nation with nine sacks. He added 44 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.