Isaiah Simmons

Career StatsC

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		89	331	8.5	5
2025		5	2	0.0	0
2024		17	21	0.0	0
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Isaiah Simmons' contract earns a C+ Contract Value Index, with the AAV sitting where the comparable-tier deals tend to settle. At $1.4M on a one-year deal, this is a depth-piece investment — the kind of low-commitment pact that defensive coordinators use to add positional flexibility without balance-sheet risk. His 2025 season production of 2 tackles across 5 games reflects the limited counting-stat opportunity that comes with his situational role, yet the mediaFraming emphasizes his impact beyond traditional numbers, particularly a blocked punt that validated the kind of splash-play value schematic coaches covet in sub-packages. At 27 years old in his sixth NFL season, Simmons is squarely in the prove-it phase of his career — a former first-round pick (2020, pick 8) still chasing the performance commensurate with that pedigree, making a low-salary, short-term structure the only realistic market fit. The Panthers' cautiously optimistic sentiment around this re-signing suggests they view him as a movable chess piece capable of unlocking genuine upside in their defensive system, particularly given his Clemson roots and demonstrated chemistry with the coaching staff. With no long-term financial commitment and a year to either showcase his versatility or become a free-agent casualty, the CVI grade reflects exactly what it is: a reasonable, low-risk reclamation gamble on a talented but underachieving defender finally finding the right defensive fit.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Isaiah's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Isaiah Simmons, a six-year veteran and former first-round prospect, has become a depth linebacker for Carolina after inconsistent production across multiple stops. Graded as a C-level contributor this season, Simmons represents a player whose athleticism and versatility have not consistently translated into impact-level performance at the NFL level. His role remains limited despite his experience, reflecting a gradual decline in productivity over the past three seasons. Simmons's current-season metrics reveal significant underproduction relative to league benchmarks. He's averaging 1.24 tackles per game, well below the NFL average of 2.19 and dramatically trailing elite starters at 7.32. His pass defense rate of 0.12 per game similarly lags behind the league average of 0.18, exposing a concerning lack of coverage impact for a linebacker in today's pass-heavy NFL. The downward trajectory—from D+ in 2023 to D in both 2024 and 2025—suggests he's regressing rather than stabilizing in a backup capacity. Simmons entered the league with elite athleticism and positional versatility that teams valued, yet the gap between prospect pedigree and on-field production has widened considerably. Moving forward, he faces a critical juncture: whether Carolina and the broader market view him as a reclamation project worth developmental reps or as a cap casualty. If next season mirrors recent performance trends, Simmons risks becoming a journeyman depth piece rather than the starting-caliber linebacker his draft investment once promised.

How Isaiah Compares at the Position

Isaiah Simmons ranks 135th of 339 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Isaiah between Von Miller (C+) just ahead and Dennis Gardeck (C) just behind.

Fan Sentiment

Panthers wisely retain a versatile defender who fits their defensive scheme well. Multiple outlets confirm the re-signing, suggesting organizational confidence in Simmons' role. His clutch blocked punt demonstrates tangible impact beyond traditional stat lines. Fans view this as a reasonable depth move rather than a marquee signing. Expect Simmons to serve as a quality rotational linebacker and special teams contributor.