CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers will have at least one starting defensive lineman returning next season after agreeing on a three-year deal with defensive end Tyler Brayton.

Agent Tom Mills says the 30-year-old Brayton visited Seattle and had conversations with Oakland and Jacksonville, but is happy to return to Carolina.
Brayton signed a two-year contract before the start of the 2008 season and has started 31 games over the past two years. He was eighth on the team with 45 tackles last season and had five sacks.
He’ll likely be paired with much younger players next season. The Panthers let defensive end Julius Peppers leave for Chicago in free agency and cut starting tackle Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu.