After a year off from football, Hunter Renfrow is back on an NFL roster and appears poised to contribute to a Carolina Panthers offense loading up on weapons.
Renfrow spent five seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders before his surprising release following the 2023 season. Even more surprisingly, the 29-year-old route technician went unsigned last season. Only recently was it revealed that Renfrow spent 2024 battling ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disorder that caused him to lose 35 pounds and kept him off the field.
But now, the former Pro Bowler is healthy and ready to regain his footing in the NFL after signing a one-year deal with the Panthers.
Renfrow kept his condition quiet, forcing many to wonder what had happened to the receiver. A couple of months ago, a rumor circulated that Renfrow had retired from football and began working for a recycling company in South Carolina. Renfrow hilariously took to Twitter to dispute the report and confirm his intention to return to the league.
Just over a month later, the Panthers announced that they had signed the former Clemson standout, adding him to a receiver room that consists of fellow veteran Adam Thielen, first-round rookie Tetairoa McMillan, and second-year players Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker. Renfrow has looked sharp in clips out of Panthers rookie mini-camp, and the former college walk-on appears ready to overcome the odds yet again by completing his comeback.
During his career, Renfrow made his living out of the slot, working the short and intermediate parts of the field. Known for his elite route-running and quickness after the catch, Renfrow possessed unique awareness and body control that allowed him to dissect zone coverage. In his 2021 Pro Bowl campaign, Renfrow caught 103 passes for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns. When at his best, the two-time national champion can be a safety valve for Carolina’s young quarterback, Bryce Young.
After struggling in his rookie season, the Panthers benched Young after an 0-2 start to the 2024 campaign. Things looked bleak for the former first-overall pick, and it was hard to imagine how he would rebound from this decision. But Young got a second chance in Week 5 and managed to hold onto the starting job for the remainder of the season.
The 23-year-old flashed what made him the No. 1 overall pick with his confidence seemingly rising every week. The Panthers finished 2024 on a high note, defeating their division rival Atlanta Falcons in overtime behind Young’s five total touchdowns.
By selecting McMillan with the 8th pick in the draft, Carolina made it clear that they want to build around their young quarterback with a strong supporting cast.
If fully healthy, Hunter Renfrow figures into this equation perfectly: providing another veteran presence alongside Thielen, and becoming a consistent option for Young out of the slot.
