Carolina Panthers, TE Ian Thomas agree to new three-year, $16.5M deal from Victor Barbosa with www.yardbarker.com/YardBarker.com The Carolina Panthers are bringing back their starting tight end for the 2022 season and beyond. Per Darin Gantt of Panthers.com, Thomas was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on March 16. The team’s fourth-round draft selection from 2018 posted 18 receptions for 188 yards in 2021, but made more of an impact in a different way, according to Gantt. “But he has evolved into a reliable blocker, and is walking into a revamped offense which leaves room for growth as a receiver.…