Seven notable Carolina Panthers players entering final year of deals in 2026
The Panthers want to contend for a playoff spot — and beyond — for the foreseeable future after finally breaking through with an NFC South division crown in 2025. And while they have several immediate needs for the 2026 offseason, a good front office typically tends to focus on the big picture when making moves in free agency and the draft.
The Panthers have 18 unrestricted, four restricted and two exclusive-rights free agents this offseason. They’ll need to sort through those groups before spending cash on outside free agents. Following free agency, they’ll then look to replenish the roster with young, cheap developmental talent. With every roster decision, the incumbent members of the locker room will be impacted, particularly the players who are entering the final year of their respective contracts.
Carolina hasn’t been shy about rewarding key contributors since general manager Dan Morgan took charge in 2024. The team has given long-term contract extensions to defensive end Derrick Brown, running back Chuba Hubbard, cornerback Jaycee Horn and right tackle Taylor Moton over the past two years. And with seven notable veterans set to enter their final year of their contracts, it’ll be interesting to see if Morgan tries to get ahead of 2027 with reworked pacts.
Here are the seven notable Panthers players entering the final year of their respective contracts:
QB Andy Dalton
The 38-year-old backup QB has been a strong sounding board for Bryce Young throughout his three-year NFL career. While Dalton did lead the first win of the Dave Canales era back in 2024, his outings in process blue have been all over the place. His worst performance with the team came in a blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills this past season.
Dalton is guaranteed $2 million in 2026, but Morgan has openly discussed his desire to add a younger, developmental quarterback to the mix behind Young.
If the Panthers were to bring in a younger free agent or a draft pick, the new arrival could spell doom for Dalton’s tenure in Carolina.
OT Ickey Ekwonu
Ekwonu had arguably his best season as a pro in 2026. Unfortunately, he ruptured his right patellar tendon in the playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams in January.
He will now undergo an arduous rehabilitation process that will leave his status for Week 1 greatly in doubt. Ekwonu is set to make $17.6 million on his fifth-year option, which was picked up last April.
The Panthers will need to bring in a stopgap replacement for Ekwonu. If that veteran or rookie plays well in Ekwonu’s absence, the longtime left tackle could be displaced from the lineup. And even if Ekwonu is able to return in time to play the bulk of the season, he might not be at full strength.
So, Ekwonu is entering the offseason with more questions than answers as he begins the final year of his rookie contract.
CB Mike Jackson
Jackson returned to the Panthers on a two-year, $10.5 million deal last offseason. He then went out and had a career year in 2025 with a league-leading 19 pass breakups and four interceptions in 17 games.
Jackson has established himself as a legitimate starting corner opposite Pro Bowl partner Jaycee Horn in their second year together.
Jackson is set to make just $4.25 million in base salary in 2026. That’s a huge bargain for the Panthers.
However, it could be argued that Jackson has greatly outplayed his contract and deserves another extension. Still, increasing Jackson’s pay after one year could be a major hit to the team’s available salary cap space.
OLB Pat Jones
Jones was limited to just four games in 2025 after signing a two-year, $15 million deal in free agency. The Panthers were hoping he could improve their pass rush from multiple angles before his season was cut short due to a notable back injury in the first half of the campaign.
Jones is billed as an outside linebacker, but he also has value as an interior rusher as well. He is likely to return to a lineup that is short on depth with D.J. Wonnum set to hit free agency.
Jones will team with second-year outside linebackers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen — along with some outside additions — in the pass rushing rotation in 2026.
DE A’Shawn Robinson
Robinson has been one of the few steady contributors to the defense over the past two seasons. He signed a three-year deal with the team in 2024, and one could argue he’s exceeded expectations as a pass rusher with eight combined sacks. While he’s not on the level of Derrick Brown, Robinson has shown he can make plays when his number is called.
That said, the Panthers can save around $10.5 million in cap space by releasing Robinson this offseason, according to Over The Cap.
Robinson is set to turn 31 in March, so he might not be part of the team’s long-term plans. If Morgan thinks he can easily replace Robinson with a draft pick or second-year defensive lineman Cam Jackson, he should try to save some funds for free agency with veteran’s departure.
TE Tommy Tremble
Tremble is one of three homegrown players on this list, along with Ekwonu and Chandler Zavala. The team re-signed him to a two-year, $10.5 million deal last offseason, and he ended up having career-high outputs in catches and receiving yards this past season.
And while Mitchell Evans and Ja’Tavion Sanders are still developing, Tremble brings a sense of trust to the lineup. He has developed a chemistry with Young, and he’s also become a leader behind the scenes.
The Panthers can save $6 million in cap space by releasing Tremble, but it seems more likely that they will just rework — or perhaps extend — his deal this offseason.
G Chandler Zavala
Zavala, a 2023 fourth-round pick, has had a wild ride in the NFL so far. The N.C. State alum has been placed on injured reserve three times in three seasons. He’s also been incredibly inconsistent when healthy and used as a starter.
The team is paying a ton of money to starting guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt, so Zavala’s only avenue for playing time is as backup insurance. He enters the final year of his rookie contract with 14 career starts in 34 games played.
With Morgan likely to add more offensive linemen to the mix this offseason, Zavala could be competing for a job in training camp.
