Six takeaways from Panthers GM Morgan at NFL combine: Contract negotiations are underway
The Carolina Panthers are on the search for upgrades at several positions.
That desire to improve has led the team’s brass to Indianapolis for the annual NFL Scouting Combine. And general manager Dan Morgan, in his second offseason in charge, has a clearer view of the team’s needs than he did the year before.
On Tuesday, Morgan spoke with local and national media for more than 20 minutes. He answered questions ranging from Shaq Thompson’s imminent departure to the biggest needs on the roster.
Here are six takeaways from Morgan’s chat with the media:
Xavier Legette didn’t have wrist surgery — but he did have another procedure
Legette, last year’s first-round pick, dealt with a nagging wrist injury throughout his rookie season. The wide receiver said the injury stemmed from his college career at South Carolina and that he intended to weigh offseason surgery to address the ailment.
However, Morgan noted on Tuesday that Legette and the team’s doctors decided to heal the injury with rest. Instead, though, Legette opted for offseason foot surgery to fix some discomfort that plagued him during the year. According to Morgan, the recovery for the injury isn’t expected to sideline Legette for long.
Legette’s wrist injury became a notable talking point during his rookie campaign, especially as it seemed to impact his play, despite his and the coaching staff’s objections to that notion. Legette was clocked with eight drops during his first year, according to Pro Football Focus.
The 32nd overall draft pick finished the season with 49 catches for 497 yards and four touchdowns on 81 targets.
Miles Sanders, Taylor Moton have open-ended statuses
Panthers football operations chief Brandt Tilis is busy exchanging offers with representatives of pending free agents and incumbent players in Indianapolis.
Two notable veterans facing uncertain contract statuses are running back Miles Sanders and right tackle Taylor Moton.
The Panthers can save $5.23 million in cap space by cutting Sanders, but Carolina has shown a willingness to keep the running back around, perhaps at a reduced rate. The 27-year-old running back is due a $1 million roster bonus on March 15, which is three days after the beginning of free agency. Morgan said Tilis is engaging with Sanders’ agent at the combine.
Moton is due a $3 million signing bonus on March 15. The veteran right tackle currently has a $31.34 million cap hit with a base salary of $14.3 million.
While the Panthers could save more than $12 million in cap space by cutting or extending Moton, Morgan doesn’t think the team needs to do either this offseason. The GM kept Moton’s contract status open-ended, but Morgan did say he wanted the right tackle to remain. So, the only two plausible options are to extend Moton’s contract or leave it alone and take the massive cap hit for one more season.
Center position could be figured out soon-ish
The Panthers have an opening at starting center. All three players who lined up at the position last year will test a free agency market of some variety. Austin Corbett and Brady Christensen will be unrestricted free agents, while Cade Mays will be a restricted free agent.
Morgan said that Tilis is discussing contracts with the agents for Corbett and Mays. It is unclear if the Panthers would place a restricted tender on Mays if a deal is not reached ahead of free agency.
Corbett, the team’s Week 1 starting center last year, sustained a season-ending biceps injury during the first half the season. The Panthers are likely to negotiate with Corbett for a short-term deal. Mays, who at one point last year was on the New York Giants’ practice squad, shouldn’t cost all that much to retain.
The Panthers have invested heavy funds in the offensive line, specifically with Moton and guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis. It would stand to reason that the Panthers would opt to go a bit cheaper at center.
Ikem Ekwonu’s fifth-year option yet to be determined
The Panthers could have an interesting situation on their hands with left tackle Ikem Ekwonu. The 2022 first-round pick’s fifth-year option deadline is in May, and the Panthers might need to choose between picking up the option or signing Ekwonu to a long-term extension.
Morgan alluded to the latter possibility as a potential likelihood. The GM volunteered that the team is open to negotiating a long-term deal with Ekwonu, which would probably cost much less — on a year-to-year average — than the pending fifth-year option salary.
According to Over the Cap, Ekwonu’s fifth-year option would be projected to be around $18.9 million in 2026.
Jalon Walker’s Panthers intrigue continues
Morgan was asked about Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker’s projection on the Panthers’ draft board, specifically the position that the team viewed him as playing at the next level. Walker was a hybrid player for the Bulldogs, moving between inside and outside linebacker to disguise his fit on a given play.
Draft evaluators have marveled at the Salisbury native’s versatility, but they are split on how he should be used in the NFL. Some view Walker as a primary edge rusher — a position of significant value, especially for the Panthers — while others think he fits more as an inside linebacker, where the Panthers have Trevin Wallace and Josey Jewell leading the position.
Morgan declined answering where he thinks the Panthers would use Walker. It’s widely known that the Panthers need edge help, but Morgan could want to keep some intrigue for Walker as the Panthers try to find the best possible outcome for their eighth overall draft pick.
Panthers like their wide receiver group
The Panthers might have a lot of needs on defense, but the offense could use a boost as well. The wide receiver and tight end positions, in particular, would seem like obvious places to start.
Morgan, though, said he loves his current crop of wide receivers, headlined by Legette, veteran Adam Thielen — who is set to return after contemplating retirement — and Jalen Coker. David Moore, the team’s fourth wideout, is set to become a free agent, but Morgan feels the depth chart has a strong base.
When asked if speed was a major component of what the Panthers would be looking for at wide receiver, Morgan said speed will be an emphasis throughout their roster reconstruction.
Regarding tight end, Morgan acknowledged the group is light with second-year playmaker Ja’Tavion Sanders returning at the top of the totem pole. However, Morgan said the team would like to bring Tommy Tremble, a pending unrestricted free agent, back. Still, the GM wants Tremble and his agents to test the market to determine his value.
If Tremble leaves, the Panthers appear to like the tight end class in the draft. Morgan, as of now, has nine draft picks to use, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to seem him utilize a couple on pass catchers in April.
Morgan said he wants to bring in as many playmakers on each side of the ball as possible. He said it’s obvious the Panthers have a major needs on defense, and that side will be a point of emphasis, but they won’t neglect the offense.
Quick hits
▪ Running back Jonathon Brooks, last year’s second-round pick, recently underwent offseason ACL surgery for a second consecutive year on his right knee. Morgan said the team wouldn’t put a timeline on Brooks’ return. The GM called the injury disappointing for Brooks and the team.
▪ Wallace, last year’s third-round pick, underwent offseason shoulder surgery. Morgan said Wallace is doing well and is out of a sling. Morgan said Wallace’s recovery timeline and performance as a rookie had no bearing on the decision to move on from Thompson. But the team is excited about the second-year linebacker.
▪ The Panthers will let kicker Eddy Piñeiro test the open market in free agency. However, Morgan hasn’t closed the door on bringing him back, even with the recent signing of Matthew Wright. Morgan did say the Panthers will weigh their options at kicker. Morgan had a similar outlook for veteran safety Xavier Woods.
▪ Punter Johnny Hekker is a player who Morgan would like to have back. Morgan said Tilis is negotiating with Hekker’s reps to potentially reach a deal.
▪ Morgan said he doesn’t hold it against prospects who transfer for name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities or balk on playing in bowl games. He said, like any other jobs, the players need to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.
This story was originally published February 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM.
