The Carolina Panthers are doubling down on their confidence in defensive lineman LaBryan Ray as he returns for the 2025 season. Ray secured his spot by signing his exclusive rights tender on Monday, ensuring he will earn $1.03 million this coming season.
Over the past two seasons with the Panthers, Ray has featured in 33 games and started in 10, increasingly becoming a pivotal part of the defense. His breakout year came in 2024, where he started nine games and recorded 41 tackles along with a sack.
Ray's journey to this point has been anything but straightforward. Beginning as an undrafted free agent in 2022, he initially signed with the New England Patriots. However, after spending a season honing his skills on their practice squad, the Panthers saw potential and brought him to their roster during the 2023 offseason.
