The Panthers on Monday signed free agent linebacker Tahir Whitehead to a one-year contract.
A veteran of eight seasons in the league, Whitehead joins the Panthers after two years with the Raiders.
Last season, Whitehead recorded his fourth consecutive 100-tackle campaign, leading the Raiders with 108. Since 2016, he ranks fourth in the NFL with 476 tackles.
Whitehead came to Oakland after spending his first six years in Detroit, where he led the Lions in tackles in both 2016 and 2017. Whitehead, who played collegiately at Temple, entered the league as a fifth-round pick of the Lions in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Whitehead has started all 16 regular-season games in each of his past three seasons. In his career, Whitehead has started 86 of 125 games played, totaling 600 tackles, three sacks, five interceptions, 24 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and five fumbles recovered.
Whitehead previously played for Lions (2012-17) and Raiders (2018-19) before signing with the Panthers.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) celebrates a defensive stop during a NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, The Raiders defeated the Colts 31-24.(Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead celebrates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) shows off his teeth during warmups prior to an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders defeated the Broncos, 24-16. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) gives a pregame speech in the huddle during warmups prior to an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders, 40-9. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Oakland Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) tackles Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) during an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018 in Oakland, Calif. Oakland won 45-42 in overtime. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Oakland Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Houston. The Texans defeated the Raiders 27-24. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. Oakland won 26-24. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) reacts after tackling Detroit Lions running back Ty Johnson during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) flexes his muscles while stretching during warmups prior to an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders, 40-9. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Oakland Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) is fired up after making a play during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Carson, Calif. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 24-17. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) runs in pursuit during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 40-9. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith, right, catches a touchdown pass against Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) during the second half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) looks on during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019 in Carson, Calif. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 24-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) and Oakland Raiders free safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) group tackle during an NFL regular season football game against the Los Angeles Chargers and the Oakland Raiders on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019 in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders won, 26-24. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) chases the action during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019 in Carson, Calif. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 24-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead seen during pregame of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) celebrates during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Tex. on Monday, Dec 26, 2016. The Cowboys defeated the Lions 42-21. (Kirby Lee/NFL)
Richard Rodgers (82), de los Packers de Green Bay es empujado fuera del campo por su rival de los Lions de Detroit Tahir Whitehead (59) durante la primera mitad del juego de la NFL que enfrentó a ambos equipos, el 1 de enero de 2017, en Detroit. (AP Foto/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Lions linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) runs in pursuit during a week 4 NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Oct 2, 2016, in Chicago. The Bears won 17-14. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) runs in pursuit during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Detroit. The Lions won 35-11. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Detroit Lions middle linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) tackles Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
