CHARLOTTE — DJ Wonnum got to the end zone in Bank of America Stadium last year, now he gets to see the whole building.
The team agreed to terms with the former Vikings outside linebacker on Thursday, bringing in a player with local ties and pass-rush credentials.
Wonnum had 8.0 sacks last year, and also a touchdown when he returned a fumble 51 yards for a touchdown in Minnesota's win here last October.
That kind of impact is what the Panthers are looking for at outside linebacker, and Wonnum has provided.
The 6-foot-5, 258-pound Wonnum has 23.0 sacks in four seasons. The former South Carolina product was a fourth-round pick of the Vikings in 2020.
They've looked at some other options at the position (with vists reported for Chase Young and Jadeveon Clowney), but Wonnum becomes the first addition at a position of need.
View action shots of the outside linebacker throughout his NFL career.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) prepares to rush against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Julie'n Davenport (73) in action against Minnesota Vikings defensive end D.J. Wonnum (98) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021 in Minneapolis. Indianapolis won 12-10. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Chicago Bears offensive tackle Charles Leno Jr. (72) in action against Minnesota Vikings defensive end D.J. Wonnum (98) in the fourth quarter during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Bears defeated the Vikings 33-27. (AP Photo/David Berding)
Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) is pressured by Minnesota Vikings defensive end D.J. Wonnum (98) in the third quarter during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Bears defeated the Vikings 33-27. (AP Photo/David Berding)
Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Dennis Kelly (71) competes against Minnesota Vikings defensive end D.J. Wonnum (98) in the second quarter during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Titans defeated the Vikings 31-30. (AP Photo/David Berding)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford throws a pass ahead of Minnesota Vikings defensive end D.J. Wonnum, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws under pressure from Minnesota Vikings defensive end D.J. Wonnum (98) as Atlanta Falcons center Alex Mack (51) blocks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) in action against Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (88) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 9, 2023 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) moves during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) warms up before of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota Vikings defensive end D.J. Wonnum (98) runs during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 07, 2021 in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs from Minnesota Vikings linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) runs during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, November 06, 2022 in Landover. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) in action against Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann (79) during the second half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota Vikings defensive end D.J. Wonnum attacks against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) moves during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) rushes during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Minnesota Vikings defensive end D.J. Wonnum (98) runs up field during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is sacked by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter, left, and linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) moves during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
