The Facts: A league source tells PFT that the Carolina Panthers are close to an agreement with Muhammad, who became an unrestricted free agent when the Bears released him last week. According to the source, the deal would pay Muhammad $1.5 million a year.

Diehards Line:As PFT's Michael David Smith notes, the 34-year-old Muhammad started his career with the Panthers and played nine seasons in Carolina before leaving for Chicago after the 2004 season. He had some solid seasons as a Panther, leading the league with 102 catches in 2000 and leading the league with 1,405 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns in 2004. He never came close to that level of production in Chicago. In Carolina, he's expected to compete with Dwayne Jarrett for the No. 2 receiver spot across the field from Steve Smith.