Live updates: Panthers bring in two-time Super Bowl champion for defensive line help
The NFL’s early negotiating window is upon us.
At noon on Monday, unrestricted free agents will be able to negotiate with teams ahead of the official start of free agency (4 p.m, Wednesday). The Carolina Panthers have several needs to fill and will look to get a jump start on their roster retooling over the next few days.
The Panthers also have 16 internal unrestricted free agents to monitor.
Below you’ll find important information as well as roster news, general league updates and more from Monday’s launch of negotiations.
Check back here for updates on the Panthers’ roster movement (and avoid the clutter on social media), as well as sign up for the FREE Access Panthers newsletter for potential blockbuster move updates sent to your email.
Panthers DL Shy Tuttle agrees to take a pay cut
The Panthers handed out quite a bit of money to Monday’s two new additions on the defensive line, Bobby Brown III and Tershawn Wharton.
But they’ll also save some cash with one of their incumbent linemen.
Shy Tuttle, the team’s starting nose tackle of the past two seasons, has agreed to take a pay cut. He was due a $6.5 million salary in 2025, but he has accepted a reworked deal that will pay him $3 million in base salary instead, according to a league source.
Tuttle has guaranteed $500,000 on that salary, and he can make up an additional $3.5 million through incentives, the source said.
Tuttle is likely to take a backseat to Brown and Wharton this season. A’Shawn Robinson and returning Derrick Brown will lead the defensive line rotation. With five veteran linemen on the front, the Panthers will be able use a platoon system to keep everyone fresh throughout the season.
Mike Jackson is back in process blue
One of the few notable success stories within the Panthers’ defense in 2024 has been rewarded in 2025.
The Panthers reached a two-year, $14.5 million agreement with starting cornerback Mike Jackson on Monday, a league source confirmed to The Observer. Jackson reached the agreement after testing the pre-free agency market for roughly seven hours.
Jackson, who was acquired in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks last summer, started all 17 games last season. He was among the more consistent players on a struggling defensive unit last year.
Earlier in the day, fellow starting cornerback Jaycee Horn agreed to a historic four-year, $100 million contract extension. Now, the Panthers have both of their starting cornerbacks from 2024 under contract until at least 2026.
Horn and Jackson headline a cornerback group that also features Chau Smith-Wade, Akayleb Evans and Shamar Bartholomew.
Another defensive tackle? You bet. Welcome Tershawn Wharton
The Panthers aren’t done with their defensive line.
The team agreed to a three-year pact with former Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton on Monday. Wharton’s deal is worth a base value of $45.05 million with $30.25 million in guaranteed money, according to a league source.
The deal can reach up to $54.05 million with built-in incentives, the source told The Observer.
Wharton, a two-time Super Bowl winner, has produced 13.5 sacks over the past five seasons. He is likely to factor into a rotation with Bobby Brown III, a fellow free-agent addition, as well as Pro Bowl defensive end Derrick Brown and last year’s leading sack man A’Shawn Robinson in 2025.
The Panthers have discussed the desire to build platoons on the defensive line, and Wharton, in theory, is a solid consolation prize to missing out on Philadelphia Eagles DT Milton Williams, who reportedly went to the New England Patriots.
The 6-foot-1, 280-pound lineman has a background with EVP of Football Operations Brandt Tilis from their shared time in Kansas City. Coming from a perennial winner, Wharton could also help bring a winning menality to Mint Street.
Panthers add defensive tackle firepower in Bobby Brown III
The Panthers made another splash on the defensive side of the ball Monday afternoon when they agreed on a deal with Los Angeles Rams free agent Bobby Brown III. The terms of the deal, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler: three years, $21 million that can reach $27 million in incentives.
Brown finished 2024 with 44 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss, including one in the Rams’ close loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the playoffs. The move also makes sense beyond his recent production. Other things to consider: The 2021 fourth-round pick is only 24 years old with good size (6-foot-4, 324 pounds) and with a knack for eating up double teams and stopping the run. It’s also worth noting his connection with the Panthers’ newly hired outside linebackers coach AC Carter, who worked with Brown in L.A.
Brown’s addition along the defensive line is huge for a Panthers defense needing to insert some strength at the position. The team earlier in the day came close to landing ex-Eagles DL Milton Williams — one of the top free agents across all positions — but the Patriots ultimately landed the talent.
This deal, because it came together during the NFL’s open negotiation window, won’t be made official until the start of the new league year. That happens when free agency starts in earnest on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Some more defensive help: Panthers land defensive end Patrick Jones II
The defensive backfield isn’t the only position group the Carolina Panthers have been trying to upgrade Monday. Case in point: They acquired defensive end Patrick Jones II.
The Panthers landed Jones on a two-year deal worth up to $20 million, a league source confirmed to The Observer. Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports had the news first.
The 6-foot-4, 264-pound lineman out of Pitt is coming off his most productive season to date, one that saw him notch 39 tackles in 15 games played, one forced fumble and a career-high seven sacks. The former third-round pick intersected with current Panthers outside linebacker DJ Wonnum while in Minnesota from 2021-24.
Jones, in addition to his pass rushing prowess, will need to bring a run-stopping capability to the Panthers in 2025, which he showcased in flashes last year. That’s an area of expertise the Panthers desperately need in 2025, coming off a season they gave up a league-worst 3,057 rushing yards.
As is the case with free agency deals across the league Monday, agreements can’t be made official until the start of the new league year, when free agency starts in earnest on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Panthers land safety Tre’von Moehrig from the Las Vegas Raiders
The Panthers are busy at work trying to beef up their defensive backfield. And they’ve made some strides — the latest coming in the form of Tre’Von Moehrig.
Moehrig — a 25-year-old 6-foot-2, 202-pound safety out of TCU — is headed to the Panthers on a three-year deal worth $51 million. He finished last season with 104 tackles, one sack, two interceptions and 10 passes defended. He’s a noted run stopper and is now one of two safeties on the Panthers’ roster currently alongside second-year Demani Richardson. The rest of the Panthers’ safeties from 2024 are still on the free agency market, as of Moehrig’s deal announcement.
This comes a few hours after the Panthers reached record-breaking terms with cornerback Jaycee Horn.
A reminder: This agreement came together during the NFL’s open negotiation window. The pact can’t be made official until the start of the new league year when free agency starts in earnest on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Carolina Panthers couldn’t finalize deal with DL Milton Williams
Just past 1 p.m., national reports flooded timelines and airwaves that the Carolina Panthers were finalizing a deal with former Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Milton Williams. The news was momentous for a defense that struggled at every level in 2024 and desperately needed reinforcements along the front-seven — and would’ve welcomed it from a guy fresh off a Super Bowl performance that saw him produce four tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.
By 2:15 p.m., though, that dream was dashed.
Williams has signed with the Patriots on a deal that gets $26 million per year, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. With the 25-year-old, 6-foot-3, 290-pound tackle out of Louisiana Tech accounted for, the Panthers are still in the market to acquire some defensive front-seven talent.
Panthers break Monday’s ice with record-setting signing of Jaycee Horn
The Carolina Panthers got on the board before free agency’s legal tampering period officially began at noon when they signed Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn to a massive contract extension. The move has reportedly made him the highest paid player at his position. Those terms of the deal: four years, $100 million with $70 million in guaranteed money. Mike Kaye has the latest in a separate story.
This deal rewards Horn’s best — and most durable — NFL season to date. He played in 15 games this season and produced 68 tackles, two sacks, 13 pass breakups and an interception. The eighth overall pick in 2021 missed 29 of his first 51 games during the first three years of his career.
Panthers’ biggest roster needs
▪ Outside linebacker: D.J. Wonnum closed out last season with a productive stretch, but outside of him, the position is largely without clarity. Could the Panthers trade Jadeveon Clowney to open up near $10 million in cap space? Could they trade for an established pass rusher with a middling free agency class?
▪ Safety: The Panthers’ five incumbent veteran safeties are all pending free agents. Will longtime starter Xavier Woods return? What about special teams aces like Sam Franklin or Lonnie Johnson? Keep an eye on the top of the market, featuring Jevon Holland and Tre’von Moehrig, at the position.
▪ Defensive line: While Derrick Brown is set to return and A’Shawn Robinson is coming off a career year, the Panthers need to improve their run defense mightily, especially up front. Look for the Panthers to add a big body (or two) between those two towering big men.
▪ Tight end: Second-year playmaker Ja’Tavion Sanders is the only player of note at the position under contract entering free agency. The Panthers re-signed Tommy Tremble on Saturday, but that’s probably not enough. Still, the tight end free agency class is old and limited.
▪ Wide receiver: While the Panthers are happy with the trio of Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker, it’s clear they could still use playmaker upgrades. The free agency class is filled with older options, but some like Darius Slayton could serve as a notable upgrade. .
▪ Cornerback: Jaycee Horn has yet to sign a long-term extension, and No. 2 cornerback Mike Jackson is headed to free agency. With Dane Jackson no longer on the roster, the Panthers’ cornerback depth chart features a lot of unknowns behind Horn.
▪ Inside linebacker: The Panthers plan to move on from Shaq Thompson after 10 years of service. With Trevin Wallace coming off an up-and-down year and shoulder surgery, the Panthers need to add solid depth behind him and Josey Jewell. A third inside linebacker with legitimate experience could be a smart way to add bulk to the depth chart.
Other positions to monitor are punter and kicker with both positions facing possible free agency holes. Still, the Panthers are likely to focus on the seven noted needs in free agency more than the other three holes.
Explaining terms for free agency
▪ Unrestricted free agency (UFA): These players have four or more years of accrued NFL experience. They can negotiate contracts with other teams during the NFL’s legal tampering period and the official start of free agency in March.
▪ Restricted free agency (RFA): These players have three years of accrued NFL experience. Teams have the option of tendering their pending restricted free agents to gain control of their rights.
If the Panthers offer a first-, second- or original-round tender to a restricted free agent, that player will need to obtain an offer sheet from an opposing team to leave Carolina. The Panthers will have the right to match the offer sheet and retain the player. If the Panthers choose not to match the offer sheet, the opposing team will obtain the player but will be forced to give up the value of the tender to the Panthers.
▪ Exclusive-rights free agency (ERFA): These players have two or less years of accrued NFL experience. They can only negotiate with their current teams. If a player chooses not to negotiate with the Panthers, that player will be unable to sign elsewhere.
Panthers’ internal free agents
Over the past few weeks, the Panthers have re-signed Tremble, center Austin Corbett, long snapper JJ Jansen and backup quarterback Andy Dalton.
The team now has 16 unrestricted, five pending restricted and two exclusive-rights free agents set to hit their respective markets.
Unrestricted free agents
▪ WR David Moore
▪ S Xavier Wood
▪ P Johnny Hekker
▪ K Eddy Piñeiro
▪ S Sam Franklin
▪ S Nick Scott
▪ C Brady Christensen
▪ TE Ian Thomas
▪ LB Shaq Thompson (Panthers announce they’re moving in another direction)
▪ TE Feleipe Franks
▪ LB Cam Gill
▪ S Lonnie Johnson
▪ RB Mike Boone
▪ DE DeShawn Williams
▪ CB Caleb Farley
▪ S Jordan Fuller
Pending restricted free agents
(Note: These players can’t negotiate during the legal tampering period as their restricted tenders aren’t due until Wednesday)
▪ C Cade Mays (tendered)
▪ RB Raheem Blackshear (won’t receive a tender, per league source)
▪ WR Deven Thompkins
▪ WR/RB Velus Jones Jr.
▪ WR Dan Chisena
Exclusive rights free agents
(Note: These players can’t negotiate during the legal tampering period as their restricted tenders aren’t due until Wednesday)
▪ DE LaBryan Ray (tendered)
▪ LB Chandler Wooten
This story was originally published March 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
