Versatile lineman Shane Burton, an unrestricted free agent who played last season with the New York Jets, has signed with the Carolina Panthers, continuing the process of revamping a defense that statistically ranked as the NFL's worst in 2001.

Burton, 28, turned down an offer a few weeks ago to return to the Jets. He visited with several clubs but, with a home in North Carolina, wanted to return there after playing with three different franchises in six years.

"Frankly, he was tired of moving his family around, and he wanted to get to a place where he was able to settle down," agent Drew Rosenhaus said. "The situation in Carolina is a good one. He's a guy who can play anywhere on the line and they really like him there."

He will sign a three-year, $2.125 million contract. It includes a signing bonus of $100,000 and base salaries of $525,000 (2002), $700,000 (2003) and $800,000 (2004). In addition, Burton is owed $250,000 in guaranteed base salary for this year from the Jets. Since there is no "offset" clause in his contract, superseding that salary with a new deal, New York must pay him that guaranteed money.

Part of what makes Burton so valuable is that he can play inside or outset, and give a team solid snaps no matter where he is aligned. In addition, the 6-6 Burton is one of the best placement blockers in the league, having swatted away six field goal attempts during his career.

The former University of Tennessee star entered the league in 1996 as a fifth-round selection of the Miami Dolphins. He played three seasons in Miami, then was waived in the summer of 1999 and claimed on waivers by Chicago. In 2000, he signed with the Jets as an unrestricted free agent.

Burton started 29 games over the last two seasons for New York and, from the standpoint of consistency, had the best years of his career. He has appeared in 93 games and started in 41 of them, and has 207 tackles, 15 sacks, two interceptions and 34 pass deflections.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.