CHARLOTTE – Unrestricted free agent Matt Paradis, the Broncos' starting center the past four seasons, has signed a three-year contract with the Panthers.
"Matt gives us an established starter at a critical position on the offensive line," general manager Marty Hurney said. "He's a smart, tough player with good feet, good instincts and a good feel for the position."
A sixth-round draft out of Boise State in 2014, Paradis spent his rookie year on Denver's practice squad but had been the Broncos' starter when healthy ever since. He started every game from the start of the 2015 season – which ended with the Broncos beating the Panthers in Super Bowl 50 – until he suffered a broken fibula midway through last season.
Ryan Kalil, who has been the Panthers' starting center since 2008, retired following the 2018 season with five Pro Bowl appearances to his credit.
Next up is Paradis, a 6-foot-3, 300-pounder who played eight-man football growing up in Idaho and evolved from a walk-on defensive lineman at Boise State into a two-time all-conference center. With the Broncos, he started 57 consecutive games and played every offensive snap from 2015 through his injury last season, though he still finished 2018 as the NFL's second-rated center according to Pro Football Focus.
- **Five things to know about Matt Paradis (Story)**
- **Matt Paradis Introductory Press Conference (Video)**
- **One-on-one with Matt and Stormy (Video)**
- **Self Scout: What Matt Paradis Brings to Carolina (Video)**
- **Behind-the-scenes with Matt Paradis on his first day (Photos)**
- **Best of Matt Paradis through the years (Photos)**
View photos of Carolina's newly signed center Matt Paradis from his first four seasons with the Broncos.
Denver Broncos center Matt Paradis (61) sets for play at the line of scrimmage against the Jacksonville Jaguars Dec.4, 2016 during an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla. Denver won 20 - 10. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Denver Broncos center Matt Paradis lines up against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 1, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos center Matt Paradis (61) gestures next to quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) during a preseason NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos center Matt Paradis (61) prepares to snap the abll during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Monday, October 30, 2017. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Denver Broncos center Matt Paradis (61) during pre-game warmups in the NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in Denver. (Eric Bakke via AP)
Denver Broncos center Matt Paradis (center) prepares to snap the ball during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
Denver Broncos center Matt Paradis (61) lines up against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos center Matt Paradis (61) waits inside the tunnel before player introductions in the NFL game against the Oakland Raiders in the NFL game at Denver, Colo. December 13, 2015. (© Eric Lars Bakke/ Denver Broncos)
Denver Broncos center Matt Paradis (61) lines up against the Oakland Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos center Matt Paradis (61) gets set to hike the football during an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018, in Denver. The Bears defeated the Broncos, 24-23. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) goes to the air on a Matt Paradis (61) block for a one-yard carry during second quarter action against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver ,Colo. September 17, 2017. (Photo via Eric Bakke)
Denver Broncos center Matt Paradis (61) sets to block at the line of scrimmage against the Jacksonville Jaguars Dec.4, 2016 during an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla. Denver won 20 - 10. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Denver Broncos center (61) Matt Paradis lines up against the Carolina Panthers during the Broncos 24-10 victory over the Panthers during the NFL Super Bowl 50 championship playoff football game at Levi's Stadium, Sunday, February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Jeff Lewis/AP Images)
Denver Broncos offensive lineman Matt Paradis (61) waits to snap the ball during the NFL Super Bowl 50 football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. The Broncos won the game, 24-10. (Greg Trott via AP)
Denver Broncos offensive lineman Matt Paradis (61) celebrates with his family during the NFL Super Bowl 50 football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. The Broncos won the game, 24-10. (Greg Trott via AP)
