CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers will have at least one starting defensive lineman returning next season after agreeing on a three-year deal with defensive end Tyler Brayton.
Agent Tom Mills said Wednesday that Brayton visited the Seattle Seahawks and had conversations with the Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars, but he's happy to return to the Carolina Panthers.
Brayton signed a two-year contract with the Panthers before the start of the 2008 season and has started 31 games over the past two years. He was eighth on the team with 45 tackles last season and had five sacks.
Brayton likely will be paired with much younger players next season. The Panthers let defensive end Julius Peppersleave for the Chicago Bears in free agency and cut starting tackle Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
