The Carolina Panthers announced they agreed to terms with former Los Angeles Rams cornerback Troy Hill in free agency.
Hill hit free agency following the 2022 season and with the Rams set on resetting their salary cap, opted to let him test the waters.
The veteran defensive back reunites with Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and cornerbacks coach Jonathan Cooley, surely a factor in the team’s decision to bring him in. Hill will be familiar with the system they’re trying to run, giving them much-needed experience on what is a young roster filled with talent.
Hill has spent most of his career with Los Angeles, playing seven seasons total with them between 2015-2020 and 2022. A former undrafted rookie in the 2015 NFL Draft, Hill originally signed with the Cincinnati Bengals before being waived and landing with the New England Patriots.
In Los Angeles, Hill played sparingly the first few years before finally getting a larger opportunity in 2020. It was the best season of his career as he started all 16 regular seasons games, picking off three passes and returning two of them for touchdowns.
After a stint with the Cleveland Browns, Hill returned to the Rams last season where he resumed his role as one of the starting corners. However, he missed a few weeks due to injury and subsequently couldn’t come to terms on a new deal with them.
Carolina has got some exciting pieces to work with on both sides of the field, and Hill makes for a solid addition to a youthful cornerback room. Jaycee Horn and Donte Jackson are currently listed as the starting cornerbacks, though Hill should see plenty of snaps.
As for the Rams, they’ve fully embraced their remodeling strategy as they’re allowing their rookies and second-year players to compete for starting jobs. Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick are the favorites to start at corner, although Ahkello Witherspoon and Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson will be in the mix as well.
Hill could’ve been a valuable depth piece for L.A. but he’s got a much better opportunity in Carolina.
Aaron Donald not where he wants to be for regular season but getting better every day
Aaron Donald surely would’ve liked to see Hill stick around as the two have years of experience playing together. Alas, Donald is one of the few returning starters and will be tasked with carrying an inexperienced defense.
The star defensive tackle has been hard at work during the summer getting in shape and although he believes he’s not where he wants to be for the regular season he thinks he’s improving every day.
