Nearly three months after being released by the Cleveland Browns, Chris Smith has a new home.
On Thursday, the Carolina Panthers announced they have signed the veteran defensive end to a one-year contract.
"I'm excited. It's a fresh start for everybody," Smith said. "I'm somebody that loves the game and loves to get after the quarterback from any position on the D-line."
Signed as a free agent in 2018, Smith appeared in 25 games over the course of his two seasons in Cleveland. In that span, the former Cincinnati Bengal tallied 22 tackles, 1 sack, 4 tackles for loss and 3 quarterback hits.
Last September, Smith experienced an undeniable tragedy when his girlfriend, Petara Cordero was struck and killed by a car while standing near I-90 after Smith's car had blown a tire. Cordero had recently given birth to her and Smith's first child.
"Words cannot describe the sorrow we feel for Chris following the loss of his girlfriend, Petara," the Browns said in a statement following Cordero's death. "Our entire organization mourns with Chris, his family and the Cordero family. We will do everything possible to offer them our support, comfort and any resources in this most difficult time."
After releasing Smith in December, the Browns said they would continue to do all that they could to support the 28-year-old.
“Chris has got a lot of people that he’s close with within the organization,” then-Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens said. “Chris is a good person. I still remember the morning it all happened. I was at his house and we talked. Some of those conversations that you have with a person builds your identity as a relationship.
“It’s very difficult anytime you release a player that is the type of person that Chris is, and Chris is a good person. Our football relationship with Chris ended. That doesn’t mean our personal relationship…From the standpoint of his teammates and this organization will always be there to support Chris.”