BREAKING: Carolina Panthers Sign Clemson Tight End Jake Briningstool to Two-Year Contract, Bolstering Offensive Depth with Young Talent
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a significant move aimed at reinforcing their offensive arsenal, the Carolina Panthers have officially signed former Clemson standout tight end Jake Briningstool to a two-year contract. The signing, announced early Sunday morning, marks another strategic step in the team’s offseason efforts to build around young, dynamic talent.
Briningstool, who declared for the NFL Draft after his junior season at Clemson, went undrafted but quickly drew interest from several teams. Ultimately, the Panthers secured the 6-foot-6, 235-pound tight end, citing his athletic upside, receiving ability, and red zone potential as key factors in the decision.
“We’re thrilled to bring Jake into the building,” said Panthers General Manager Dan Morgan in a press release. “He’s a versatile athlete who has a strong understanding of the game, and he adds an exciting element to our tight end group. We believe he can develop into a real weapon for us.”
At Clemson, Briningstool carved out a solid collegiate career. In his final season, he recorded 41 receptions for 456 yards and five touchdowns, earning second-team All-ACC honors. Known for his reliable hands and ability to stretch the field, Briningstool was a consistent target for the Tigers and played a key role in their offensive schemes. His route-running, catch radius, and frame make him a promising asset for the Panthers’ developing offense.
With the Panthers undergoing a transition phase under new head coach Dave Canales, the addition of Briningstool fits the broader strategy of injecting youth and explosiveness into a roster that struggled offensively in 2024. The team finished the season ranked near the bottom in total offense, and tight end production was limited throughout the year.
Briningstool will join a tight end room that currently includes veteran Hayden Hurst and second-year player Tommy Tremble. While the depth chart remains competitive, insiders suggest the Panthers see Briningstool as a high-upside prospect who could carve out a significant role, particularly in two-tight end sets and red zone packages.
“I’m incredibly thankful for this opportunity,” Briningstool said in a statement released by the team. “Growing up in Tennessee and playing at Clemson, I’ve always dreamed of playing in the NFL. To do it with a team like Carolina, which is building something special, means the world to me. I’m ready to get to work.”
The Panthers’ move also highlights their continued commitment to scouting talent in the Carolinas. Clemson, a regional powerhouse, has been a consistent pipeline for NFL talent, and Carolina’s front office appears eager to capitalize on that familiarity.
Training camp will offer Briningstool his first real chance to prove himself at the pro level. Though raw in some aspects of his game—particularly blocking—his receiving prowess and athletic ceiling give him a real shot to earn meaningful snaps early in his career.
As the Panthers gear up for the 2025 season, Jake Briningstool represents a fresh infusion of talent and hope—an under-the-radar signing that could pay major divide
ends down the road.
