Asante Samuel Jr. Reportedly to Visit With Bears, 49ers, More After Back Surgery Rehab

Having been cleared to return from offseason back surgery, free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. is making the rounds to find a new team for the stretch run this season.

Per Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer, Samuel is visiting the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz added that Carolina will be Samuel's first official visit.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Samuel also intends to visit with the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Samuel was considered one of the top players available in free agency after the 2024 season concluded. He only played four games with the Los Angeles Chargers last year due to a shoulder injury.

It was a surprise when the first wave of free agency passed without Samuel getting signed, but he explained at the end of the season that his injury was actually "stinger symptoms" and he hoped to be ready for the start of the offseason program.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Monday that Samuel has been cleared for football activities after undergoing spinal fusion surgery in April.

In addition to Samuel's visit with the Panthers, The Athletic's Matt Schneidmann reported the Green Bay Packers are "looking into the possibility" of signing the 26-year-old since Nate Hobbs is expected to miss multiple weeks due to a sprained MCL.

Since starting the season 0-2, the Panthers have been played well enough to put themselves in playoff contention in the NFC. They are 5-2 in their last seven games, including a marquee win over the Packers on Sunday.

Carolina (5-4) is currently ninth in the NFC standings, just one game back in the loss column of the Detroit Lions for the final wild card spot. The Panthers' five wins have matched their total from all of last season.

The Panthers' defense has been in the middle of the pack through nine games this season. They rank 16th in points allowed per game (22.8) and 13th in total yards allowed per game (316.6).

A second-round pick by the Chargers in the 2021 draft, Samuel recorded 176 combined tackles, 37 passes defensed and six interceptions in 50 games over the past four seasons.