Carolina defensive end Mario Addison won't become a free agent on March 9 after the Panthers signed the former Tarrant High School and Troy standout to a three-year contract on Sunday.
Addison had a base salary of $1,350,000 in 2016 in the final year of his contract. Carolina moved to keep him on the team with a three-year deal that NFL Network reported as being worth $22.5 million.
Addison led the Panthers with 9.5 sacks during the 2016 season.
"Mario has shown he is one of the best emerging pass rushers in the league and he deserves this contract," Carolina general manager Dave Gettleman said in a team press release.