Panthers GM dishes on need for pass rushers, outlook for backup QB behind Young
Dan Morgan is a scout at heart.
While he serves as the general manager of the Carolina Panthers, Morgan still breaks down film routinely and monitors draft prospects daily. He’s never been able to shake the urge to scout talent, and he doesn’t want to lose that desire.
That’s why the former standout linebacker watched some East-West Shrine Bowl practices this past week in Frisco, Texas.
“I think it’s good just seeing these guys up close,” Morgan told The Charlotte Observer after Friday’s practices. “Just looking at their body types, seeing how they interact with the guys around them, and just seeing them move around from an athletic standpoint. So, it’s nice to get here — up close and personal — and obviously catch up with people. And there are agents here, and talking to agents and just getting as much info with these guys as possible.”’
Last year, the Panthers spent Day 3 draft picks on tight end Mitchell Evans and wideout Jimmy Horn Jr., who played in the Shrine Bowl game. They also signed linebacker Bam Martin-Scott as an undrafted free agent following the week of work at the all-star competition.
So, with a staff full of scouts joining him on the road, Morgan continued to look for the next batch of young Panthers to add to the fold. Some of the talent who practiced at The Star in Frisco this weekend could be wearing process blue soon enough.
The ‘combination’ fix for the Panthers’ pass rush
Morgan hasn’t been shy about criticizing his team’s lack of pass rushing production in 2025 since the Panthers’ brief playoff run concluded earlier this month.
The Panthers produced 30 sacks in 2025. That total was tied for 30th (with the Arizona Cardinals) out of 32 teams.
So, Morgan wants to improve those numbers. His outlook on how to fix the front seven, especially from a pass rushing perspective, is nuanced.
“I think it’s a combination of the young guys still developing, they’re going to get better, and adding, whether it’s one or two more pass rushers — whether through the free agency or the draft,” Morgan said. “And then, obviously, schematically, letting our inside guys get up the field a little more. So, I think it’s a combination of all those things.”
Last offseason, the Panthers signed outside linebacker Pat Jones and defensive lineman Tershawn “Turk” Wharton to help improve their pass rush.
Jones sustained a serious back injury and played in only four games. Wharton dealt with a nagging hamstring injury, which limited him to nine appearances in the regular season.
Losing both of those free-agent additions for huge chunks of time didn’t help the sack numbers.
Morgan understands the issues go beyond those injuries, but he knows the defensive front needs more depth in 2026.
“We have to be better just in terms of having that depth, because injuries inevitably are going to happen throughout the season,” Morgan said. “So, we just gotta make sure we do a good job of stocking up on as many rushers as we can.”
Exploring backup QB options behind Bryce Young
The Panthers want to improve throughout their roster. Morgan has been transparent about his desire to add competition to every rung of the depth chart, including the quarterback position.
Morgan said earlier this month that he plans to pick up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option this offseason. And as the former No. 1 pick continues to mature, the GM would also like to develop some young talent behind him.
“I think we have to explore every option, whether in free agency or in the draft,” Morgan said. “And get some young, more developmental guys. And ideally, they’re athletic, so they can run around, escape, make plays with their legs — you know, cause that’s the way the league is trending nowadays. So, yeah, we’ll explore every avenue there.”
Young will be locked up through 2027 once his fifth-year option is officially picked up. The Panthers also have longtime veteran backup Andy Dalton under contract for one more season.
Dalton is guaranteed $2 million of his $3.9 million base salary in 2026.
Positive outlook on Ickey Ekwonu’s knee injury
Left tackle Ickey Ekwonu ruptured the patellar tendon in his right knee during the playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams this month. He has since had surgery to repair the damage.
Morgan is optimistic Ekwonu will be able to bounce back following the procedure.
“I think the surgery went really well,” Morgan said. “I know he’s going to work his butt off. Timeline-wise, I think we’re still gathering that info and figuring that side of it out. But I’m sure he’s going to attack the rehab, and hopefully, he’s back sooner than later.”
The Panthers have several decisions to make on their offensive line this offseason.
With Ekwonu likely to be sidelined beyond Week 1 of the 2026 season, they’ll need to determine his replacement, at least in the short term. Swing tackle Yosh Nijman is set to become a free agent in March, along with starting center Cade Mays.
The team also has depth linemen Brady Christensen, Austin Corbett and Jake Curhan set to test the open market as well.
Excitement for young defenders in Year 2
The Panthers’ 2025 draft class has earned rave reviews over the past several months.
Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan — the team’s first-round pick — is a finalist for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award after producing 70 catches for 1,014 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Second-round pick Nic Scourton co-led the team with five sacks in 2025, and he broke the franchise’s rookie high mark for pressures with 34.
So, Morgan is feeling good about his second group of draft picks. And that excitement goes beyond McMillan and Scourton.
Morgan said he is looking forward to the development of a trio defenders from the 2025 class. At the top of the list is third-round pick Princely Umanmielen.
“I think Princely is one that comes to mind,” Morgan said. “I think we saw him come on a bit toward the end of the season, so I think he’s going to get better and better as he keeps learning and progressing through the pro game and kind of how that works.”
Morgan is also intrigued by fourth-round pick Lathan Ransom. The former Ohio State standout played 336 snaps on defense in 2025, and produced 51 tackles, a sack, two pass breakups and an interception as a rookie.
“I think Lathan’s going to continue to get better,” Morgan said. “There’s a lot of checks and responsibilities in the back end, and I think the more that he gets comfortable back there, I think you’ll start seeing him progress as well.”
Finally, Morgan offered up optimism for fifth-round pick Cam Jackson. While Jackson played in only nine games during his rookie campaign, the 6-foot-6, 328-pound nose tackle did have a blocked field goal in the regular-season finale against Tampa Bay.
Jackson — along with Scourton and Umanmielen — is part of the group that Morgan thinks will help improve the pass rush next season.
“Cam Jackson, another one,” Morgan said. “A young guy, continuing to get his body right — get stronger, get leaner. So, I think you’ll start to see him coming around and being more of an impact player.”
This story was originally published January 26, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
