NFL veteran safety Eric Rowe signed a new contract with the TEAM. Rowe, a former second-round pick, spent the 2022 season with the Miami Dolphins but has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots.
The #Panthers have agreed to terms with former #Dolphins safety Eric Rowe.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 6, 2023
Eric Rowe, Carolina Panthers, Agree to Contract
The 2022 season was a unique one for Eric Rowe. Working under a new head coach in Mike McDaniel, Rowe only started six of the 14 games in which he played. While on the field, the safety recorded two passes defended, two forced fumbles, two sacks, 56 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, and two quarterback hits. The Dolphins made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 but ultimately fell to the Buffalo Bills.
Eric Rowe originally entered the NFL as a second-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Selected by the Philadelphia Eagles, the Utah product played in all 16 games as a rookie while making five starts. During his time on the field, the rookie recorded one interception, five passes defended, and 31 tackles during the final year of the Chip Kelly Era.
Following the season, the Eagles hired Doug Pederson and incorporated a scheme that did not fit Rowe’s strengths. So, the team traded the Utah product to the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2018 fourth-round pick. That move ended up working out for New England. While Rowe started the season buried on the depth chart, he eventually worked his way up to third behind Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan and played a large role in helping the Patriots secure their fifth Super Bowl title.
Rowe returned as the Patriots third cornerback in 2017, but a groin injury limited him to just eight regular season games. He did return for the playoffs, and New England made it back to the Super Bowl for the third time in four years. However, this time they were unable to win it all, as the team fell to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Patriots made it back to the Super Bowl in 2018, but Rowe was on the injured reserve by the postseason. The following offseason, Eric Rowe signed a contract with the Miami Dolphins and quickly converted to safety.
Main Photo: Mark Konezny – USA Today Sports
