Green Bay Packers free agent tackle Yosh Nijman signs with the Carolina Panthers

GREEN BAY − Yosh Nijman has left the Green Bay Packers in free agency and agreed to a two-year contract with the Carolina Panthers, according to a report by the NFL Network.

Nijman had been with the Packers since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and started 22 games at tackle, including 13 at right tackle in 2022 and eight at left tackle in 2021.

The NFL Network report said Nijman’s two-year contract is worth $8 million, including $5 million guaranteed, and has up to $7 million more in incentives.

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Despite all those starts in ’21 and ’22, Nijman last season lost the battle for the starting job at right tackle to Zach Tom. Nijman ended up splitting time with Rasheed Walker at left tackle for part of the season, though Walker eventually took over the job outright. With Walker on a rookie contract and the returning starter, the Packers were unlikely to re-sign Nijman as a backup unless it was at a bargain price.

The Packers presumably will be looking to add to their tackle position in the draft, perhaps even with a high pick, to give Walker legitimate competition for the starting job on the left side. The other tackles on the roster are Caleb Jones, Luke Tenuta and Kadeem Telfort. None of the three has taken a snap at tackle in a game in their NFL careers.