Ex-Bengals’ Nick Scott headed to Carolina to rejoin with Panthers DC, DBs on a 1-year contract

The Carolina Panthers’ performances couldn’t be more lackluster in the 2023 season, as they finished the campaign with a 2-15 record. The poor season cost the job of head coach, Frank Reich, and Dave Canales is now leading the helm to give the team a bounce-back look in the upcoming season.

The Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is already projecting a better future under the leadership of Canales. Their off-season moves to bolster the squad also look promising. The team has now taken another significant move by signing safety Nick Scott, who was released by the Cincinnati Bengals to save cap space.

Nick Scott agrees to a one-year deal with Panthers

The Panthers are bolstering their defense with the addition of Nick Scott, who recently agreed to a one-year deal with the team. This move enhances the Panthers’ depth and also strengthens their connection with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, as Scott has previous ties with him.

The 28-year-old star brings experience and versatility to the Panthers’ defensive lineup. His familiarity with Coach Evero adds cohesion to the team’s offseason acquisitions strategy, which has seen bringing in players with connections to the coaching staff. Scott joins a group that includes A’Shawn Robinson, and Josey Jewell, all of whom have played under Evero at some point.

Scott’s signing comes with an added benefit for the Panthers. Since he was released this offseason, his contract won’t impact the team’s compensatory picks for the 2025 season. This makes him an even more attractive addition from a strategic standpoint.

The veteran started his NFL journey after being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He honed his skills at Penn State University, where he transitioned from running back to safety. His tenure with the Nittany Lions perfectly showcased his potential as a defensive playmaker.

While the Panthers have added an asset to the squad in Nick Scott, the Bengals had freed up a substantial sum in cap space by waiving Scott earlier.

Bengals saved $2.3 million in cap space releasing Nick Scott

Nick Scott had signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Bengals the previous offseason, and was set to earn a base salary of $3 million in 2024. However, the Bengals opted to part ways with him a few weeks ago. The team incurred a relatively minimal $2 million hit in dead cap, compared to his 2024 cap hit of $4.3 million. It ultimately resulted in the substantial $2.3 million saving in cap space.

This financial move by the Bengals coincides with their recent agreement with former Baltimore Ravens safety Geno Stone, who joined the team on a two-year, $15 million deal. The savings from Scott’s release will help offset the financial commitment to Stone, ensuring that the team maintains flexibility in managing their salary cap.

Scott played in all 17 games of the previous season, starting 10 of them, and recorded 57 total tackles along with other defensive stats. However, his performance saw a notable decline, with his Pro Football Focus grade dropping to a career-low of 44.0.

The tipping point for Scott came during a Week 11 matchup against the Ravens when he incurred a penalty for having too many men on the field, prompting defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo to express his frustration visibly. This incident likely exacerbated concerns about Scott’s performance and contributed to the decision to release him.