Jets claim ex-Panthers third-round pick in intriguing waiver pick-up

Aaron Glenn and the New York Jets added an intriguing young linebacker to their rebuilt defense on Monday, picking up the Carolina Panthers’ Trevin Wallace off waivers.

The 6-foot-1, 244-pound Wallace had 125 tackles, including seven for a loss, and three sacks over 25 games in Carolina. He forced two fumbles as a rookie and broke up four passes last year, helping the Panthers win their first NFC South crown since 2015.

Carolina’s decision to cut Wallace turned heads primarily because he’s a 23-year-old with two seasons of team control remaining. However, he reportedly struggled to beat out Claudin Cherelus during a training camp competition, and recent signee Bobby Okereke will instead start alongside Devin Lloyd.

The Panthers’ voluntary loss could prove to be the Jets’ gain, especially given Glenn’s defensive background.

What New York Jets fans must know about linebacker Trevin Wallace

A dual-threat linebacker and running back in high school, Wallace contributed two sacks and four tackles for loss as a freshman at Kentucky. He recorded 14 TFLs, eight sacks, and three interceptions over the next two years, putting himself on NFL teams’ radars.

Most importantly, Kentucky went a combined 24-15 during Wallace’s three seasons in Lexington. The Wildcats even reached No. 7 in the AP Top 25 during the 2022 campaign.

NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein projected that Wallace would be an “average backup” or special teams contributor in a pre-draft scouting report. Despite praising Wallace’s athleticism, Zierlein also expressed concerns about his play recognition and awareness.

“Teams will like the traits and his potential to play special teams, but he will need to prove he can play with better instincts and recognition to make it in the pros,” Zierlein wrote.

Wallace now has an opportunity to prove himself in New York, and his arrival comes at a perfect time. Last year’s Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades allowed the Jets to push the reset button on their defense. 

What should especially appeal to Jets fans is Wallace’s history of forcing turnovers. Even if he’s yet to snag an interception, the third-year linebacker knows how to create havoc in the backfield. That’s excellent news for a secondary that could have rookie cornerback D’Angelo Ponds in the Week 1 lineup.

In the short term, Wallace profiles as a backup who could potentially earn rotational snaps down the line. Although Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich previously served as the Panthers’ head coach, he and Wallace did not overlap; Carolina selected the ex-Kentucky linebacker in 2024, less than a year after firing Reich.

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