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The Panthers already added a new name to their receiving room when they selected Tetairoa McMillan in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
On April 27, they brought in another, securing the services of former Pro Bowler Hunter Renfrow with a one-year deal.
Renfrow emerged as one of football's best slot receivers during a 100-catch season in 2021, but he was on the outskirts of NFL competition in 2024, failing to find a gig in the NFL for the first time since he entered into the league.
His health was a major reason why. Renfrow was felled by ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease that affects some 1.6 million people in the United States.
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With that, here's what you need to know about Renfrow's disease, recovery, and potential NFL future in 2025 and beyond.
Hunter Renfrow's condition, explained
Renfrow proved himself a fairly productive pass-catcher during his five-year spell in Oakland and Las Vegas, collecting 269 catches for 2,884 yards and 17 touchdowns.
The 29-year-old WR saw his numbers wane over the final two seasons of his Raiders tenure, dropping from a high-water mark of 1,038 yards in 2021 to just 585 yards over the 2022 and 2023 campaigns. In March 2024, Renfrow was released.
Renfrow spent a year away from the gridiron, a curious move for a former Pro Bowler still entrenched in his physical prime. As it turned out, Renfrow was dealing with ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disease that can cause digestion issues and leave individuals living with the malady with fatigue, weight loss, and high fevers, among other issues.
"It kicked my butt pretty good," Renfrow told Panthers.com. "Last year, I fluctuated in weight; I went down to 150 pounds. I had like seven straight days of 103-degree fevers. It's tough to play when you're not feeling great."
Renfrow has regained his weight in the months since, saying he's "actually a little heavy now" after "eating too many Oreos at night."
Still, Renfrow's desire to get back on the field has lingered for much of the new year. He kept his workout regimen intact once he felt healthy enough to do so.
Carolina took notice, offering Renfrow a spot on its roster. A Myrtle Beach native, Renfrow feels it's the perfect place for him to restart his career.
"I'm probably a little biased, but I would tell them when I was in Vegas, you know, the Carolinas are the best place in the world," Renfrow said. "I would tell my teammates that over and over. And watching Cam Newton in the Super Bowl, just a lot of good memories. I've been a Carolina Panther fan my whole life, right?"
What is ulcerative colitis?
Ulcerative colitis refers to a type of inflammatory bowel disease that can cause inflammation and sores — also known as ulcers — in one's digestive tract.
According to the Mayo Clinic, ulcerative colitis tends to operate most aggressively within the colon's innermost lining. It can also affect the rectum. Symptoms tend to manifest gradually rather than in an instant.
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis include diarrhea, rectal bleeding and pain, urgency, and inability to pass stool as well as the aforementioned weight loss, fatigue, and fever.
The exact cause of the disease is unknown and it has no cure. Still, treatment for the ailment can greatly reduce and relieve its symptoms.
Hunter Renfrow contract details
- Years: 1
- Value: Not disclosed
Renfrow agreed a one-year contract with the Panthers on April 27. The terms of the deal remain to be announced, perhaps a reflection of where he stands in Carolina's receiving corps at the moment.
Renfrow has earned about $35 million over the course of his career.
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