Will Panthers make some bigger swings in free agency during 2026 offseason?
It’s Super Bowl week, but Panthers fans have their sights set on the 2026 NFL offseason.
Following an NFC South division-winning campaign in 2025, the team and its fans see an arrow pointing up after years of disappointment. Both want to keep the good times going, so there will be a push for improvement with the team finally facing some notable expectations.
Naturally, the Carolina faithful are curious about how the Panthers can conjure up an improved squad. So, the Panthers mailbag is back to address their questions from social media.
Here are some standout questions received from various platforms:
Time to make some big moves in 2026?
Androo asks: You brought up several times that 2026 was the season Carolina was looking to be true contenders. You’d mention this as a reason why they wouldn’t make bigger moves/trades. With that said, 2026 is here. Do you envision bigger swings this offseason? Big name FA? Trades? Etc.?
Mike Kaye: Right guard Robert Hunt (five years, $100 million in 2024) and safety Tre’von Moehrig (three years, $51 million in 2025) were relatively big free agency swings over the past two years. The Panthers can afford to do something pretty similar this year, where they make one bigger swing and then supplement the roster with other quality additions in free agency — the front office seems pretty comfortable with that strategy.
The Panthers paid top dollar for Hunt and Moehrig at non-premium positions. They were able to land the top options on the market because the prices for guards and safeties weren’t what the outside linebackers, defensive tackles, wide receivers and cornerbacks markets demanded. Inside linebacker is a similarly maligned free agency position as well. That’s where the Panthers have the best avenue for a bigger swing that doesn’t involve giving up draft picks.
Outside of punter, the Panthers have been pretty keen on adding players who are just entering their prime. Most of their free-agent additions were either coming off their rookie contracts or under 30 upon arrival. They’ve also struggled to find consistency at inside linebacker, and the read here is that they want to greatly improve the position in 2026.
Luckily for the Panthers, they’ll have plenty of options at inside linebacker in free agency. Devin Lloyd of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Nakobe Dean of the Philadelphia Eagles, Leo Chenal of the Kansas City Chiefs, Quay Walker of the Green Bay Packers and Devin Bush of the Cleveland Browns all fit into the sub-30, entering-their-prime category. Of the group, Lloyd and Bush are probably the top names, with both having notable draft pedigrees and production during their careers.
Lloyd is coming off his rookie contract and a career year in Jacksonville. He collected five interceptions and seven pass breakups during his fourth season, which should appeal to a Panthers team that has struggled to cover running backs and tight ends over the past few years. Set to turn 28 in September, the 2022 first-round pick is an ascending player with plenty of experience and film to grade.
Similarly, Bush had a strong coverage year as well. He produced three interceptions, eight pass breakups, two sacks and two forced fumbles in 2025. After struggling with Seattle in 2023, Bush rebounded during a two-year stint with the Browns. While he’s a tad undersized at 5-foot-11 and 235 pounds, he’s played seven seasons in the NFL and won’t turn 28 until July.
Both former Day One picks should have pretty healthy markets, and this beat writer could see the Panthers jumping into those waters to improve a position that isn’t as costly as the top-tier outside linebacker or defensive end markets.
Regarding trades, GM Dan Morgan has shown that he covets draft picks. Even when he trades for a player, it’s typically a pick swap or a player swap. He’s not one to really give away draft capital. That would be the lone reason why I think the Panthers will be out of most trade sweepstakes. Otherwise, I think they’ll make calls and check in on available trade targets. If they can find the right deal for a pass rusher, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Morgan make it work — if it was a fit for the long term.
The one area where I think the Panthers can be much more aggressive in making a bigger swing is in the draft. Last year, the Panthers were creative in their trade-ups on Day Two of the draft to land pass rushers. With the team now owning the 19th overall pick in the draft, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Morgan make a move up the board for a pass rusher or offensive tackle.
Playmaker with some YAC ability
Jacob asks: Dan Morgan has mentioned the offense needing a playmaker who can “catch a five-yard pass and take it the distance,” in his words. Where do you think that player is most likely to come from? Free agency, draft, or trade?
The Panthers’ brass seemingly loves drafting wide receivers. The position has become so expensive in free agency that it makes more sense to develop the position than overpay an outside veteran, who is probably hitting the market because of his various quirks.
That said, it’s an intriguing question, Jacob.
As stated in a previous mailbag, Wan’Dale Robinson of the New York Giants is probably the most logical option in free agency. He has deep speed that the Panthers have lacked at the position for a while, and he’s not going to get market-setting money. He averaged 4.3 yards after the catch last season — according to Pro Football Focus — and produced the same amount of overall receiving yards as Tetairoa McMillan in 2026 (1,014). Robinson just feels like an excellent complement to McMillan and Jalen Coker.
If Robinson is out of the Panthers’ price range, they could take a one-year flier on someone like Romeo Doubs of the Green Bay Packers or Jalen Nailor of the Minnesota Vikings. Neither averaged more than four yards after catch, but both did produce in the red zone last season.
Otherwise, I think they’ll turn to the draft. The Panthers have used three picks on receivers over the past two drafts, and I’d expect them to use at least one more this offseason.
A heavy lift or light loading?
Ed asks: How much roster molding work do the Panthers have ahead of them this offseason?
I don’t think it’s as heavy of a lift as the previous two years, Ed. The Panthers have several needs, but they aren’t pressing to fill a dozen notable roles in one offseason like they have the past two years.
They’ll need to figure out left tackle and center — with Ickey Ekwonu (patellar tendon surgery) sidelined, and Cade Mays set to hit free agency. They need to upgrade inside and outside linebacker, and they almost assuredly will make moves at both positions in the draft and/or free agency. Nick Scott will probably be upgraded as the post safety, too.
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Outside those five positions, it’s more about enhancing depth for the present and future. As mentioned above, I would expect a wide receiver to be added to the mix. Tight end also feels like a depth need — but if they can find a worthwhile upgrade for Tommy Tremble (I think he’ll be back) or Ja’Tavion Sanders (big year for him), they should pounce.
There are some internal free agents worth re-signing as well — Coker (exclusive rights), punter Sam Martin, special teams ace Thomas Incoom (restricted) and backup linebacker Claudin Cherelus (restricted) are probably at the top of the list.
The Panthers also need to figure out how they’ll open up cap space in the coming weeks, which could lead to a few notable departures or restructures.
Sleepers for the draft/free agency
Nick asks: Who is your sleeper draft pick right now? In general, could be a free agent guy too. Just the one person you feel like we should target who seems like a realistic option/fit.
Admittedly, I haven’t taken the plunge into draft film study yet. I’ve been more focused on free agency and bigger-picture projects. However, after spending four days in Frisco, Texas, at the Shrine Bowl practices, I did come away with a handful of favorites from the all-star game.
From a draft perspective, I’d say Maryland safety Jalen Huskey really impressed me with his versatility and playmaking skills. He has great size at the position at 6-foot-2 and 201 pounds, and he uses his length quite well in coverage. As mentioned earlier, I think the Panthers will look to upgrade over Scott at the post position, but Huskey has the versatility to play nickel corner, free safety and strong safety.
Pro Football Focus has Huskey as the 306th player on its big board (though, I’m guessing he will go up significantly after the NFL Scouting Combine). So, I think that would definitely qualify him as a draft sleeper.
Free agency-wise, Joseph Ossai of the Cincinnati Bengals is the player I keep coming back to. He won’t be 26 until April, and he’s coming off back-to-back five-sack seasons with the Bengals. He won’t cost a ton of money like Jaelan Phillips of the Eagles or Odafe Oweh of Los Angeles Chargers. He’s also significantly younger than Trey Hendrickson (turned 31 in December), who played with him in Cincinnati.
If the Panthers don’t want to pay for an older player (like Hendrickson) or overpay for a player with inconsistent production (Oweh or Phillips), Ossai feels like a logical upside player that they can couple with a high draft pick to play opposite Nic Scourton, Princely Umanmielen and Pat Jones.
This story was originally published February 5, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
