Five takeaways from Panthers GM Morgan: Free agency outlooks for Dowdle, Mays
Dan Morgan’s third offseason as the Carolina Panthers’ general manager could be his busiest one yet.
Following an NFC South-winning campaign in 2025, the expectations for Carolina have risen considerably. And the linebacker-turned-GM needs to improve his roster in the coming months to raise the bar.
Two spots in particular, inside linebacker and outside linebacker, are in need of notable upgrades. And Morgan isn’t shy about stating his desire to improve those positions.
As a former inside linebacker, Morgan knows how important a top-tier player at the position can be for a defense.
“In terms of free agency and the draft, I think that’s a position that we’ll, you know, try to attack,” Morgan said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “We’re looking for guys that are leaders, that are playmakers, and that are culture fits for us. We’re excited about attacking that and putting the work in.”
Similarly, outside linebacker — commonly referred to among football folks as the “edge” position — is a noteworthy fixture of Ejiro Evero’s defensive front. While the team selected Nic Scorton and Princely Umanmielen during the second day of the draft last year, Morgan isn’t ruling out going back that positional well in 2026.
“I think it’s just about getting the best players,” Morgan said. “And if we feel like the best player is another edge rusher, I don’t think you can have too many edge guys.”
While the Panthers will look to upgrade both positions in free agency in March, they’ll also have the opportunity to find cost-effective talent during draft weekend in April. Morgan thinks the Panthers will have plenty of options at both positions, even with their first-round pick slated at 19th overall.
“I think there will definitely — there will be a linebacker there that we like, there will be an edge that we probably like there, too,” Morgan said. “We’ve just really got to weigh that with free agency and just kind of see how it goes in free agency, and then I think you always adjust your plan based off free agency. ... But that’s not to say we wouldn’t double-dip at a certain position, whether that’s edge or linebacker.”
Here are five other takeaways from Morgan’s conversation with the media:
Bradley Chubb could be a possibility
When it comes to “edge” players, Morgan already has one notable option on the market.
Last week, the Miami Dolphins released pass rusher Bradley Chubb. The N,C, State alum previously played for Evero in Denver before being traded to Miami in 2022.
Morgan was asked about the possibility of Chubb joining the team during his media session in Indianapolis. The GM remained coy but did acknowledge the front office will continue to research Chubb, who is coming off a productive campaign in 2025.
“I don’t think anything is going to be off the table,” Morgan said. “We’ll explore that. We’ll talk to his agent, but I wouldn’t say anything is upcoming. We’ll definitely stay in that and see where that goes.”
Chubb, 29, produced 8.5 sacks last season after missing the entire 2024 campaign following ACL surgery. In 2023, Chubb produced 11.5 sacks in a defensive scheme that is similar to the one Evero leans on.
“I know a lot about him,” Morgan said. “Obviously, when guys get cut, I watch every guy that gets cut, and so do the pro scouts. They do a great job as well. So, still playing at a really good level, has had a lot of sack production throughout his career, just a really good player, and that’s something we’ll stay in and explore.”
Andy Dalton’s future has a shade of gray
Morgan has made it clear throughout the offseason that he wants to inject some competition into the quarterback room in 2026. While the team will pick up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option for 2027, the GM wants to create competition behind him.
That outlook directly impacts longtime veteran backup QB Andy Dalton.
“I think with not just Andy, but with all the players, I try to stay honest and transparent with our plans,” Morgan said. “No different with Andy. Andy knows he’s going to have to compete. We are going to try to bring somebody in here — I don’t know who that is — whether through free agency or the draft, or, again, both. You never know. I’m in constant communication with Andy. We’ve talked multiple times, and he’s aware of the plan, and we’ll see what happens.”
Dalton is guaranteed $2 million in 2026. If he were to be traded, the Panthers would recoup $2.15 million in salary cap space.
Dalton will only become expendable if the Panthers find the right competition for him. Morgan seems open to drafting and/or signing potential competitors for Dalton.
“Andy’s not afraid of competition,” Morgan said. “So, we’ll see what happens in free agency, see what happens in the draft, and we’ll see how it plays out.”
Cade Mays’ Carolina career might come down to price
Morgan wants to continue to add to the Panthers’ offensive line.
The GM has put a ton of money into the trenches, and he said Tuesday that he plans to continue to invest on both sides of the line.
But with the third-highest offensive line payroll in the NFL, Morgan has to be smart about his spending. That means the Panthers could move on from center Cade Mays, especially if he gets a big offer elsewhere in free agency.
“I think you definitely have to weigh that (spent money), in terms of the price,” Morgan said. “I’m sure his agent is meeting with people and figuring out what his market is looking like right now — and once he figures that out, we’ll re-assess. And we’ve been in constant communication with his agent, so again, we’ll see how it goes and see how it plays out. But Cade is a guy that we would want to bring back, if it works out for both sides.”
Backup center Nick Samac, who only played on special teams in 2025, is the only natural center under contract as of Tuesday.
Rico Dowdle will test free agency
Running back Rico Dowdle is coming off a career year. In his first campaign with the Panthers, Dowdle produced 1,373 scrimmage yards and seven total touchdowns.
Now, he’s looking to get paid as a free agent for a second consecutive offseason. He’s also looking for extended playing time.
The money and expanded role might not come in Carolina.
“Obviously, I love Rico,” Morgan said. “Great guy, great player, had a great year for us. I think in terms of — he’s earned the ability to go out there and see what’s out there for him. There’s always the potential that he could come back — the door is open for that — we’ll see what happens.”
The Dallas Cowboys, according to multiple reports, agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal with Javonte Williams last week. While Williams scored six more touchdowns than Dowdle in 2025, the latter outproduced the former with 35 extra scrimmage yards.
It stands within reason that Dowdle could get a relatively similar offer from another squad. And despite that potential price, Morgan won’t rule out a reunion.
“I think it’s a case-by-case basis,” Morgan said. “I think Javonte is separate from Rico. It’s a pretty deep running back free-agent class. So, we’ll see what happens. Again, I wish the best for Rico — if he does go out and find something, find a big deal — but there is always that potential that maybe we could bring him back.”
The rest of the free agents are up in the air
Aside from Mays and Dowdle, the Panthers have 15 other unrestricted free agents. They also have two exclusive rights free agents and four restricted free agents.
Morgan believes the bulk of that group deserves to hit the market. And his plan is to let them test the waters heading into free agency.
“They’ve earned the right to go out there and find the best deals from themselves,” Morgan said. “Do we want some of them back? Yes, we do. But again, they’ve earned the right to go out there and find a bigger deal.”
Swing tackle Yosh Nijman, guard Brady Christensen, center Austin Corbett, safety Nick Scott and punter Sam Martin headline the rest of the group of free agents for Carolina.
Quick hits
- Morgan said outside linebacker Patrick Jones has been fully cleared from the back injury he sustained in Week 6 of last season. Jones underwent a procedure for a herniated disk in his back during the first half of last season.
- Last offseason, the Panthers placed running back Jonathon Brooks on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list before training camp. The idea was to shut down Brooks — who underwent ACL surgery on his right knee for the second time in roughly 13 months — and open up a roster spot for training camp. The league later ruled that Brooks would still count against the Panthers’ roster under the cut deadline. That left the Panthers with just 89 roster spots throughout the summer. Morgan said he has brought up that procedural issue to the rest of the Panthers’ brass, and the team could propose a rule change at the NFL owners meetings in March that would open up a roster spot for placing a player on PUP before training camp.
- Morgan repeated his optimism about left tackle Ickey Ekwonu’s patellar tendon surgery from January during the Shrine Bowl. Morgan believes he is recovering well from the surgery.
UPDATE: An earlier version of this story reported that the Panthers can save $4 million in cap space by trading Dalton. The team can only save that amount with a post-June 1 deal. Prior to June 1, the savings is $2.15 million in a trade.
This story was originally published February 24, 2026 at 4:54 PM.
