UFL Defensive Player of the Year Cam Gill Signs With Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have signed 2026 UFL Defensive Player of the Year Cam Gill following a record-setting season with the United Bowl champion Louisville Kings.
Gill becomes the fifth member of Louisville’s championship team to sign an NFL contract since the conclusion of the 2026 UFL season. He is also the 24th UFL player overall to land an NFL contract this offseason.
The defensive end joins Louisville teammates Tanner Brown (New Orleans Saints), Ian Wheeler (Buffalo Bills), Lucky Jackson (Detroit Lions) and Tarik Black (Detroit Lions) in earning NFL opportunities following the Kings’ championship campaign.
Cam Gill Dominated During Record-Setting UFL Season
Gill emerged as the centerpiece of Louisville’s defense during the franchise’s inaugural season, putting together one of the most productive pass-rushing campaigns in UFL history.
The 6-foot-2, 232-pound defensive end recorded three multi-sack games and finished the regular season with a UFL-record 10 sacks for 71 yards in losses.
Gill also led the league with 12 tackles for loss totaling 70 yards, while adding 39 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
His impact extended beyond the stat sheet. Gill regularly commanded double-teams and created opportunities for his teammates as the Kings finished the regular season with 23 sacks.
His dominant performance earned him the 2026 UFL Defensive Player of the Year Award and helped Louisville overcome an 0-3 start before eventually capturing the United Bowl championship.
Gill Helps Louisville Kings Capture United Bowl
Gill continued making an impact during Louisville’s postseason run.
Across playoff victories over the St. Louis Battlehawks and DC Defenders, Gill totaled nine tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss as the Kings completed their inaugural season by winning the 2026 United Bowl.
His signing gives the UFL champions five players who have earned NFL contracts since the season ended.
United Bowl MVP Ian Wheeler signed with the Buffalo Bills, UFL Special Teams Player of the Year Tanner Brown joined the New Orleans Saints, while wide receivers Lucky Jackson and Tarik Black both signed with the Detroit Lions.
Cam Gill Returns to Carolina Panthers
The signing marks Gill’s return to Carolina after previously spending time with the Panthers organization.
Gill participated in Carolina’s 2024 training camp before being placed on reserve/injured and later released. After spending time on the Detroit Lions’ practice squad, he returned to the Panthers’ active roster and appeared in 10 games.
Before his time in Carolina, Gill entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He spent three seasons with Tampa Bay from 2021-23 and was part of the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV championship team, recording a half sack of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the victory.
Gill most recently participated in 2025 training camp with the Minnesota Vikings before joining the Louisville Kings ahead of the 2026 UFL season.
Following a championship season, a Defensive Player of the Year award and a UFL single-season sack record, Gill will now get another opportunity to continue his professional career in the NFL with the Panthers.
The Louisville Kings will retain Gill’s UFL rights should he return to the league in the future.
Source: UFL
