CHARLOTTE — The Panthers are close to taking a significant step toward building a new 3-4 defense.
According to multiple reports, the Panthers are nearing a deal with Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle. The deal can’t be finalized until the new league year starts on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
The former Saints defensive tackle gives them another stout run defender as they transition to a new defensive front.
Originally an undrafted free agent from Tennessee, Tuttle has started 29 games for the Saints the last two years. (And had a disrespectful interception and stiff-arm of former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan in 2019).
Along with Derrick Brown (who is likely to play as a defensive end in this system), he gives them some more size up front, which is what they needed as they adjust their base defense.
The 6-foot-3, 300-pounder grew up in Lexington, N.C., and starred at North Davidson High before going to Tennessee.
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New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) celebrates a fumble recovery during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Atlanta. The New Orleans Saints won 30-20. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Danny Karnik/Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is sacked by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (97) and defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
Rusty Costanza/Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) celebrates a fumble recovery during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Atlanta. The New Orleans Saints won 30-20. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Danny Karnik/Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes under pressure from New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
Derick Hingle/Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) reacts during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Nov.27, 2022, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker)
Scot Tucker/Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) in action during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Tyler Kaufman/Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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New Orleans Saints defensive tackles David Onyemata (93) and Shy Tuttle (99) in action against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Rich Schultz/Copyright {2022} The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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Arizona Cardinals running back Eno Benjamin (26) runs past New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) and Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan, left, during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Ross D. Franklin/Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
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New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) speaks with Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Zack Bailey (78) after an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 26, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Tyler Kaufman/Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) and defensive lineman Malcolm Roach (97) celebrate during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Atlanta. The New Orleans Saints won 30-20. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Danny Karnik/Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) tips a pass attempt by Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (7) in the third quarter during the NFL game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 31, 2021 in New Orleans, LA. (Michael DeMocker / NFL LCC via AP)
NFL
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Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (31) runs for a first down past New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
David J. Phillip/Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley carries for a touchdown against New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) to defeat the Saints in overtime during an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. The Giants won 27-21. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Brett Duke/Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) works against Atlanta Falcons offensive guard Chris Lindstrom (63) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta. The New Orleans Saints won 21-16. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Danny Karnik/Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks for a receiver as he is rushed by New Orleans Saints’ Shy Tuttle (99) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Stephen B. Morton/Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) passes under pressure from New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) and defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Butch Dill/Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) works against Atlanta Falcons offensive guard Chris Lindstrom (63) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta. The New Orleans Saints won 21-16. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Danny Karnik/Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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Seattle Seahawks’ Alex Collins (41) carries between New Orleans Saints’ Shy Tuttle (99) and Cameron Jordan (94) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 25, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ted S. Warren/Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws as he is dragged down by New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Butch Dill/Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
https://www.panthers.com/news/reports-panthers-near-deal-with-shy-tuttle
