The Panthers made it official Wednesday, signing wide receiver Robby Anderson to a two-year deal. Anderson spent the first four years of his career with the Jets, where he became one of the league's most-lethal deep ball threats.
Before Anderson starts catching passes for the Panthers, get to know Carolina's newest wideout:
The Temple connection
The Philadelphia-to-Charlotte pipeline has been hot since free agency began last month.
Before Anderson's signing became official, the Panthers had already signed linebacker Tahir Whitehead and quarterback P.J. Walker, who were both at Temple along with Matt Rhule. So was Anderson.
The 26-year-old played two seasons under Rhule in 2013 and 2015, but the year he didn't play may have been when the two's relationship grew the most. During the 2014 season, Anderson was forced to leave Temple and spend a year at a community college due to academic eligibility issues. Uncertain of whether he would return to Temple, Anderson's head coach went to bat for him.
"He's a great person, more importantly," Anderson said of Rhule in an interview last season. "He fought to get me back into Temple. I was kicked out and he really got them to change the rule of the school and everything. If it really wasn't for him to get me the opportunity, I probably wouldn't have even gotten my foot into the door in the NFL."
Something to prove
Anderson's path to the league didn't get easier after his final year at Temple. He went undrafted before signing with the Jets. But he sure hasn't let the undrafted title keep him from putting up numbers.
At the start of this year's free agency period, Anderson was widely seen as highly coveted. Since entering the league in 2016, his 20 career touchdowns are tied for third-most among all undrafted players.
History with the Panthers
The Panthers have already been good to Anderson, but at the time, it wasn't necessarily great for Carolina.
In Week 12 of the 2017 season, Anderson had the best statistical game of his pro career, hauling in six passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers ended up beating the Jets that day, but the game proved how dangerous Anderson can be.
Now Anderson will look to replicate that success for the Panthers instead of against them.
See photos of wide receiver Robby Anderson during his time with the New York Jets.
New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) celebrates with fans after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) crosses the goal line to score a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tre Herndon (37) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars won 29-15. (Perry Knotts via AP)
New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) runs away from Oakland Raiders free safety Erik Harris (25) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) runs the football during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Browns defeated the Jets, 23-3. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) takes a knee while a play is reviewed during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Buffalo Bills won 17-16. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) lines up out wide during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Sept. 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. Cleveland won 23-3. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) looks on during warmups prior to an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants defeated the Jets, 31-22. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson (11 ) catches a TD pass during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J.
(Tom DiPace via AP)
New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) goes up to make a touchdown catch on a pass from quarterback Josh McCown, not pictured, as Carolina Panthers strong safety Mike Adams (29) and cornerback James Bradberry (24) defend during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) lines up out wide during a week 3 NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 in Cleveland. Cleveland won 21-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Jets' Robby Anderson (11) catches a pass in front of Denver Broncos' Bradley Roby (29) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
FILE - In this Aug. 30, 2018, file photo, New York Jets' Robby Anderson watches during a preseason NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia. Anderson will not be suspended by the NFL for two arrests in an eight-month span. The league says Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, it completed its investigation into the incidents and the matter has been addressed, and no suspension is being issued. Anderson could still potentially be fined by the team. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File
New York Jets' Robby Anderson (11) celebrates with fans after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets Robby Anderson (11) runs the ball during of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
(Tom DiPace via AP)
New York Jets receiver Robby Anderson runs with a reception action against the Kansas City Chiefs during a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 24-3. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson celebrates after scoring a touchdown on a pass from quarterback Bryce Petty, not pictured, during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) and New York Jets wide receiver Chad Hansen (16) runs to the sidelines after Anderson scored a touchdown, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) catches a pass for a first down against Cleveland Browns cornerback Jamar Taylor, left, in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) catches a pass in front of Seattle Seahawks' DeShawn Shead (35) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
