University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez
Panthers Hand Tre Boston A Three-Year Deal
March 23, 2020 | Football, Featured Writers
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
Two offseasons in a row, Tre Boston entered NFL free agency as one of the top safeties on the market, only to come away with a one-year deal each time.
But when free agency kicked off last week, the former North Carolina standout finally received the multi-year deal he'd been looking for.
On Thursday, Boston officially signed a three-year contract with the Carolina Panthers, the team that selected him in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft and with which he's spent four of his six professional seasons. As much as it would have meant to receive that commitment from any team, it meant that much more coming from the Panthers.
"Going to UNC and being in Carolina for close to 10 years, it just meant so much to me to stay here in the state and try to build something new," Boston told GoHeels.com. "We understand what's going on here in Carolina, and I want to be a part of that."
He figures to be a big part, too.
Boston, 27, spent his first three seasons in Carolina before joining the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017. He played for the Arizona Cardinals the following year, then re-joined the Panthers just over a month before the start of the 2019 season. In his return to Charlotte, he started all 16 games, finishing with three interceptions, 11 passes defensed and 68 tackles.
Since 2017, Boston has registered 11 interceptions, tied for the second most among NFL safeties. Despite playing for three different teams, he's still managed to post the highest coverage grade of any free safety over that span, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Boston's production surely played a role in the Panthers' decision to invest in him. But so did the fact that he'll provide veteran leadership as the team transitions from former head coach Ron Rivera to Matt Rhule. One of only three defensive starters from last season currently on Carolina's roster, Boston said that's a role he's prepared for.
"After years in the league, it becomes your plate," he said. "Finally, it's there. Seeing how I'll be able to lead these young men and having young coaches, as well, we'll lean on each other and bring up a culture that they want to invite here to Charlotte"
Boston said he's met with Rhule a few times since the former Baylor head coach accepted the job with the Panthers on Jan. 8. He's also seen him around Bank of America Stadium. And while the time he's spent with Rhule and his staff has been limited, Boston said he's been impressed.
"They seem like good guys," he said. "They seem like genuine men who are detailed. They have a way about how they want to come in and win. We're seeing it now; we're seeing it all unfold. You've got to either be a part of it or you don't.
"I think it's one of those things where it was easy to sell because of the genuine men they had coming in, especially the coaches. Everywhere from the new training room and our new head trainer, all the way to new chefs, we're cleaning and inviting a whole new culture."
It could take some time for that culture to develop. But that's one thing Boston seems to have after signing his new deal.
"I'm just excited to help them in the process and be here to help them change this new leaf," Boston said. "It's not going to be easy, but in due time, we'll see the picture unfold."
Stay tuned later this week for a Q&A with Boston about Mack Brown and the trajectory of the UNC football program.
Two offseasons in a row, Tre Boston entered NFL free agency as one of the top safeties on the market, only to come away with a one-year deal each time.
But when free agency kicked off last week, the former North Carolina standout finally received the multi-year deal he'd been looking for.
On Thursday, Boston officially signed a three-year contract with the Carolina Panthers, the team that selected him in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft and with which he's spent four of his six professional seasons. As much as it would have meant to receive that commitment from any team, it meant that much more coming from the Panthers.
"Going to UNC and being in Carolina for close to 10 years, it just meant so much to me to stay here in the state and try to build something new," Boston told GoHeels.com. "We understand what's going on here in Carolina, and I want to be a part of that."
He figures to be a big part, too.
Boston, 27, spent his first three seasons in Carolina before joining the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017. He played for the Arizona Cardinals the following year, then re-joined the Panthers just over a month before the start of the 2019 season. In his return to Charlotte, he started all 16 games, finishing with three interceptions, 11 passes defensed and 68 tackles.
Since 2017, Boston has registered 11 interceptions, tied for the second most among NFL safeties. Despite playing for three different teams, he's still managed to post the highest coverage grade of any free safety over that span, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Boston's production surely played a role in the Panthers' decision to invest in him. But so did the fact that he'll provide veteran leadership as the team transitions from former head coach Ron Rivera to Matt Rhule. One of only three defensive starters from last season currently on Carolina's roster, Boston said that's a role he's prepared for.
"After years in the league, it becomes your plate," he said. "Finally, it's there. Seeing how I'll be able to lead these young men and having young coaches, as well, we'll lean on each other and bring up a culture that they want to invite here to Charlotte"
Boston said he's met with Rhule a few times since the former Baylor head coach accepted the job with the Panthers on Jan. 8. He's also seen him around Bank of America Stadium. And while the time he's spent with Rhule and his staff has been limited, Boston said he's been impressed.
"They seem like good guys," he said. "They seem like genuine men who are detailed. They have a way about how they want to come in and win. We're seeing it now; we're seeing it all unfold. You've got to either be a part of it or you don't.
"I think it's one of those things where it was easy to sell because of the genuine men they had coming in, especially the coaches. Everywhere from the new training room and our new head trainer, all the way to new chefs, we're cleaning and inviting a whole new culture."
It could take some time for that culture to develop. But that's one thing Boston seems to have after signing his new deal.
"I'm just excited to help them in the process and be here to help them change this new leaf," Boston said. "It's not going to be easy, but in due time, we'll see the picture unfold."
Stay tuned later this week for a Q&A with Boston about Mack Brown and the trajectory of the UNC football program.
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