Home Customer Service Stay Connected Read today’s Edition Raleigh’s Best Detour Travel Local Events News Sports Politics Business & Real Estate Living & Entertainment Opinion Obituaries Video Featured Reality Check Uniquely Herald Sun Detour Travel Raleigh’s Best Guides Shopping/Reviews Deals & Offers Press Releases Sponsored Content Classifieds Place an Ad – Celebrations Search Jobs Search Legal Notices Advertising $1.99 WELCOME OFFER CLAIM CAROLINA PANTHERS Don’t let his smile fool you: New Carolina Panthers safety wants to lay down some ‘hurt’ By Alex Zietlow Updated March 22, 2025 9:02 AM| Sep 15, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) runs with the ball as Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre’von Moehrig (7) defends during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images Reggie Hildred USA TODAY NETWORK Back before Tre’Von Moehrig signed with his new team, there was at least one guy in the Carolina Panthers’ defensive back room who knew about Moehrig. Even if that guy didn’t yet know Moehrig’s name. That guy in question is Mike Jackson, a studious cornerback and a bright spot in a dim 2024 for the Panthers defense. He re-signed with the team last week, and during a press conference, Jackson was asked about the hard-hitting free-agent safety the Panthers had just signed away from the Las Vegas Raiders. So, in response, Jackson offered the truth — which turns out to also be the highest compliment in today’s NFL. “I didn’t know his name, but I knew his jersey number,” Jackson said of Moehrig. “And in the league, that’s how you know somebody’s really nice.” Jackson even remembered a few details about the TCU graduate’s skillset. One play in particular stood out from film: an otherwise routine run that resulted in Moehrig pummeling a Chargers ball-carrier for a loss. “He had a two-high look, and that let me know, ‘Yeah, he watches film,’ because you shouldn’t beat that, you should get cracked right there because you’re out of position,” Jackson said. The CB added, “And he’s just a dawg. He’s one of those players who doesn’t play off the record of the situation. He just shows up everyday.” Moehrig was relayed Jackson’s praise Thursday and smiled and acknowledged that, yes, this is often how players discover their peers — by their numbers first, as they flash on film again and again, before learning their names. “I appreciate that,” Moehrig said, smile beaming. “Hopefully we can keep putting that stuff on tape and getting recognized, and looking forward to working with him and doing some things on the field.” It made for a fun moment Thursday, which was also Moehrig’s first time speaking with Charlotte media since becoming a Carolina Panther. But don’t let Moehrig’s easy smile and soft-spoken nature fool you: The newly signed safety wants to lay down “hurt” when he’s in the game — and he’s not afraid to say it out loud. A sampling: “Whether the ball is coming toward me or not, I’m going to make somebody hurt, try to put my shoulder pads into him, just be physical,” Moehrig said. “I’m a physical player. But at the same time, I’m smart, I’m calculated, and I feel like I can get the job done wherever they put me.” Nov 29, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre’von Moehrig (7) warms up prior to a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images Jay Biggerstaff USA TODAY NETWORK Last week, the Panthers signed Moehrig to a three-year, $51 million deal that has a max value of $60 million with incentives. The 6-foot-2, 203-pound enforcer was considered one of the best — if not the best — safety in the free agency field, fresh off a season with the Las Vegas Raiders where he notched career highs in tackles (104) and pass deflections (10) while adding two interceptions and a sack. With him, the Panthers are getting a safety who’ll start immediately (and that’s not just because he’s currently one of two safeties under contract right now). They’re also getting a noted run-stopper who thrived this past season as the coaching staff played him closer to the line of scrimmage to let his hard-hitting nature shine. “Just coming down in the box a little bit more, being able to blitz,” Moehrig said of what made his 2024 stats pop. “I just had it on my mind to be a dominant player wherever it was. To come in with force. “It doesn’t matter if the ball was over there or not, or if the ball was on the other side, if it was me and somebody else, I just wanted to be the more dominant player in everything I did. So I think that helped translate into racking up some more of those tackles.”
