The Carolina Panthers have signed unrestricted free agent cornerback Charles Tillman to a one-year contract, the team announced Thursday.
Tillman, 6-2 and 198 pounds, joins the Panthers after spending his entire 12-year career with the Chicago Bears. A two-time Pro Bowl selection (2011, 2012), Tillman reunites with Panthers head coach Ron Rivera and assistant head coach/secondary Steve Wilks who coached Tillman with the Bears. Rivera was the Bears’ defensive coordinator from 2004-06 and Wilks was the Bears’ defensive backs coach from 2006-08. In 2006, the Bears won the NFC Championship and advanced to Super Bowl XLI.
“I think Coach Rivera was one of the main reasons why I wanted to be here,” Tillman said. “He’s a guy that I had a lot of respect for when I was in Chicago. I love his leadership and his qualities as a coach and he’s done a good job with the Panthers. There’s a good group of guys here like Thomas Davis, Greg Olsen, Luke Kuechly and Cam Newton. I got a good vibe here.
“This is a similar defense and Steve Wilks and (Panthers defensive line coach) Eric Washington were also in Chicago, so there is familiarity.”
Since entering the NFL as the Bears’ second-round draft choice (35th overall) in 2003, Tillman leads active defensive backs with 41 forced fumbles, is fourth with 36 interceptions and second with eight interception returns for touchdowns.
“Charles brings veteran leadership and experience, and has familiarity with both Ron (Rivera) and Steve (Wilks),” general manager Dave Gettleman said. “He is a high-character player that we are excited to add to our team.”
Tillman has started 152 of 156 career regular season games, recording 961 tackles, 36 interceptions, 114 passes defensed and 42 forced fumbles. Triceps injuries have limited Tillman to 10 total games in the past two seasons.
Tillman is the winner of the 2012 NFL Salute to Service Award and the 2013 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. He played collegiately at Louisiana-Lafayette.
