Carolina Panthers sign LB Claudin Cerelus

Claudin Cerelus earns a C+ Contract Value Index (CVI) on his one-year, $1.295M signing with Carolina—a deal that makes sense as a reserve linebacker depth move in the preseason window, but one that carries minimal financial commitment and equally minimal upside. At that price point, the Panthers are paying replacement-level wages for a depth piece, which is precisely the right strategy for a team sitting at 8-9 and fighting for positioning in a crowded NFC South; there's no dead money risk, no cap albatross, and no multi-year commitment that could handicap future flexibility. The salary reflects a rotational linebacker brought in for competition and special teams value rather than a starter or anchor to a scheme. For a franchise in a tight competitive window with limited margin for error, this is exactly the kind of low-risk, low-cost transaction that doesn't move the needle either way—it's a pragmatic roster fill, not a statement move. The CVI grade reflects solid value efficiency given the modest financial exposure; Carolina isn't overpaying for a depth contributor, though the deal also doesn't unlock any elite-tier talent or proven production that would justify splurging. This is efficient roster construction in a down year: cheap, flexible, and fully jettisionable if the linebacker doesn't stick.