RSS Panthers Team Notes

[Carolina Panthers]

CSR Weekend Warriors: 2/27-3/1

Greetings, Panthers fans. Welcome to the weekend.

Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.

You know the drill.

This is now an open thread

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/the-scratching-post/58299/csr-weekend-warriors-2-27-3-1

 

[Carolina Panthers]

NFLPA Report Card Grades: Panthers near bottom in 2026

The Carolina Panthers have spent the last few seasons turning around the narrative of the on-field product, culminating in an unlikely NFC South division crown this past season. Off the field, the players have not seen as much growth. While the Panthers overall rank rose from 25th overall in 2025 to 23rd overall in 2026, it is still a bit disheartening to see how the players feel about the team. The NFLPA was not allowed to release the 2026 report cards, but the individual letter grades were, unsurprisingly, leaked to the media regardless. Though the full descriptions have not yet been leaked so we can’t see the reasons why certain grades may have changed since last season, let’s take a deeper look into each category.

Treatment of Families​

The Panthers dropped from a B+ to a B in this category. Last year, players made note of the fact that the Panthers provide daycare during home games and a family room during home games. They also ranked the team at or near the top ten in “post-game family area” and “organizing family events.” While this is still a solid grade, it would be a good look for the team to provide more family support to players to help really cement the positive family-like culture the locker has.

Home Game Field​

This was a new category for the 2026 report cards, and the Panthers absolutely bombed it, scoring an F. While they weren’t the worst in the league (shoutout to the Tennessee Titans and their F-), I would love to know the criteria for this category. Notoriously bad playing surfaces like in Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington scored pretty well while many dome stadiums had middling scores. I don’t know if it’s a grass versus turf type of thing, but the Panthers have some work to do regardless.

Food/Dining Area​

The Panthers actually improved from a B to a B+ in this category. Last year, players referenced the taste of the food being quite good (10th overall), while the freshness and dining area both ranked in the bottom half of the league. The players praised the Director of Culinary, Tracie Hartman, though. It seems like the team made some improvements since last season, though we don’t know what those specific improvements were.

Nutritionist/Dietician​

The Panthers stayed steady here, scoring an A- in both 2025 and 2026. The individualized nutrition plans and accessibility of the nutritionist and dietician were the main reasons for this high score in 2025. That is probably the reason for the sustained success in this category for 2026.

Locker Room​

The Panthers saw a pretty steep drop in this category from a C down to D+. Last year, the size of the locker room and individual lockers was in the bottom half of the league, and I can’t imagine how the locker room got even worse. Maybe there aren’t enough showers or toilets or something?

Training Room​

The training room saw a slight increase in grade from a B- to a B. Staffing was middle of the pack in 2025 (physical therapists, trainers, etc), while hot tub and cold tub space was near the bottom of the league. This seems like a pretty simple fix, and maybe adding a tub or two is why this grade improved a little.

Training Staff​

The training staff also improved a bit, from a B+ to an A-. In 2025, players felt like they received enough 1-on-1 treatment and that the staff contributed to their overall success. This continues the trend of players really liking the actual people working with them while being less thrilled about the physical structures.

Weight Room​

One of the few structural aspects that was solid and improved was the weight room, rising from a C+ to a B. Last year, players acknowledged that there were ongoing equipment upgrades, so those upgrades are the likely reason for the grade increase. Still, players believe they are limited by the amount of actual space.

Strength Coaches​

The Panthers strength coaches have scored well the last couple of years, getting an A in 2025 and an A- in 2026. The individual strength plans and overall benefit to player performance is the main reason why. I’d be interested to know what caused the slight dip, but they still scored well overall.

Position Coaches​

This is another new category for the 2026 report card, and the Panthers scored pretty well with an A-. This is a good sign since the position coaches are the ones spending the most individual time with players working on their craft.

Offensive Coordinator​

The coordinators also got their own grades, and the players seem to like new offensive play caller Brad Idzik, giving him an A-. Dave Canales recently said that Idzik is the architect of the entire offense, so the players trusting him is a great sign. We’ll have to wait and see if his play calling helps or hurts his reputation.

Defensive Coordinator​

Ejiro Evero got a decent grade of B for his first report card. While we don’t know the specific elements players were asked about, we know for a fact some of the players disagreed with schematic choices, play calls, and snap counts (*cough* Princely Umanmielen *cough*). We’ll see if this improves now that Canales has more time on game days to check in on the defense.

Special Teams Coordinator​

Tracy Smith has been with the team for a few years and took over as the Special Teams Coordinator in 2024. For the 2026 report card, players gave him an A-. I, for one, like the fact that the players seem to like and respect their coaches for the most part. That probably improves the culture quite a bit.

Team Travel​

The Panthers have been consistently bad in this category, scoring a D in both years. The lack of space on flights and inefficient travel plans are the main reason for this grade. Apparently coaches moved to first class, knocking players back to coach. I can’t even imagine Derrick Brown trying to fit into a standard airplane seat.

Head Coach​

Dave Canales has scored an A- back to back seasons for the Panthers. Players feel Canales is efficient with their time and is highly receptive to locker room feedback. This tracks for Canales’ outgoing, player-centric personality. He seems to genuinely care about his players, and they seem to respond well to him.

General Manager​

Dan Morgan got his first appearance on the report cards and scored the highest out of every single category. Again, since this is a new category, we don’t know what the criteria was for the poll, but it is very promising to see Dan get his props. I think he’s done a solid job so far and seems to be a really good dude.

Team Ownership​

The category you’ve all been waiting for: ownership. David Tepper has gotten his fair share of bad press, and deservedly so. Luckily for him, the players seem to be turning a corner in regards to their opinion of the boss man. Tepper jumped from a D- last year all the way up to a B- this year, by far the largest improvement in any category for the Panthers. Last year, the players felt that Tepper lacked a willingness to invest in the facilities, did not contribute to a positive team culture, and was only somewhat committed to building a winning franchise. Each of those criteria put him at 29th or worse in the NFL last season. I do have to tip my cap to Tepper. He has been much more behind-the-scenes lately, allowing Dan and Brandt and Dave to do their jobs. He seems to be learning how to be a good owner, and that is a great sign for the team moving forward.

Overall Takeaways​

It seems like Dave Tepper has really put together a well-liked staff from top to bottom. The players gave rave reviews for the GM, Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, ST Coordinator, and position coaches. They also shouted out the training staff, strength coaches, and nutrition team. The players’ main gripes were about the actual facilities themselves, which is to be somewhat expected considering they work in a stadium that turns 30 years old in August. I don’t know how much renovations can help considering the framework they have to work with, so the team may have to eventually build a new stadium. Oh, and get a grass field, Tepper. Come on, please.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...port-card-grades-panthers-near-bottom-in-2026

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Summarizing the Panthers’ press conferences at the combine

The combine has been underway for a few days now, and the workouts have taken everyone’s attention. But prior to all that, the combine served as a gathering place for NFL decision makers and the media to interact with one another and get some nice juicy headlines for the offseason. Dave Canales, Dan Morgan, Brad Idzik, and even Brandt Tilis got at least one chance to get in front of a microphone. The Panthers posted around two hours of interview content. We hit the highlights to save you some time.

Dave Canales​

We start with Canales getting up on the podium to answer questions from various members of the media. Right out of the gate, Canales said he’s handing play calling duties over to Brad Idzik. He said the move is to free himself up to take more of a management role for the entire team on game days while also letting Idzik take another step as an offensive coordinator. He is already the primary architect of the offense, so it’s natural to let him call the plays. He talked about emulating John Harbaugh as a leader as a head coach. As for running the offense, he said his philosophy is about building what you think will create an explosive offense that will score points and then finding what parts of it tailor to the personnel you have, especially the quarterback. He wrapped up by saying that Dom Capers is departing to join the Browns.

Canales followed that by answering more questions from reporters in front of a wall. I don’t know why this was separate from the press conference, but whatever. There wasn’t much more of substance here, which is partly because it’s really hard to hear the questions he’s answering with all the background noise. The only thing was that he talked about the plan to add some competition to the quarterback. He predictably dodged a question that kinda dragged Andy Dalton for being slow.

Lastly, Canales sat down with Anish Shroff for a kind of internal one on one interview. There was more talk about the play calling handoff with Dave reiterating that he felt this was the best decision to make the Panthers better. He talked about prioritizing the development and recovery of current players to improve the team. Then comes looking for players that are culture fits that can be brought in to challenge the roster. When talking to players at the combine, he talked about looking for players with self awareness as those players tend to be the most likely to develop and reach their potential because they know how they got to how they are and know how to take the next step.

Brad Idzik​

With Canales announcing that Idzik is going to be calling plays this upcoming season, the latter obviously became a focus of media attention at the combine. And he obviously got asked a ton about his new role calling plays. He says he’s ready for the challenge, and he’s called plays in the preseason, so it’s not an entirely new thing for him. He was asked if he’s going to call plays from the sideline or the booth, and while he’s open to both options, he thinks he’s going to prefer calling plays from the sideline so he can have the pulse of the team.

Idzik also spoke with Drain Gantt, who has more flow with the hair than I realized. He again said he’s gotten reps in scrimmages during the spring and he’s looking forward to doing that again knowing that he’ll be preparing for that role in real games next season. He also talked about the influence his father, who spent nearly 30 years in various jobs around the NFL, has had on him. He found out that he was going to become the play caller by Dave Canales coming into his office and telling him while he was doing some self scouting. He wasn’t surprised because Canales has put so much emphasis on developing his staff and preparing them for their next steps, so he knew this was coming at some point.

Dan Morgan​

In his press conference, Morgan talked about trying to attack the linebacker position in free agency and the draft. He was asked about NIL in college, and he says it’s actually beneficial from an evaluation standpoint because it gives them a chance to see how a young player handles having a lot of money. It’s hard to hear the questions, but I think he was asked about Bradley Chubb and said it was a situation they would evaluate. He was asked about some other positions but generally kept going back to the idea that he’s trying to improve the entire roster. He did say he believes in Chuba Hubbard as a lead back and that the team is excited about both Jonathon Brooks and Trevor Etienne. He was asked about Rico Dowdle, and while he said that the door is open for him to return, the way he answered the questions seemed to suggest it’s very unlikely that happens.

In his in-front-of-the-wall press conference, he was asked directly if he liked linebackers and edge rushers at 19, and he said there will probably be players he likes at both of those positions there. He said the team is definitely bringing in a quarterback to “compete” with Andy Dalton. He seemed to suggest that they’re going to let all of their pending free agents see what’s out there on the market, but they would like to bring plenty of them back if it works out. He was asked several questions about Dave Canales and the transition to Brad Idzik as play caller and repeatedly said that he lets Canales make the decisions about his coaching staff and stays away from putting too much input there.

Morgan also spoke with Anish Shroff. He talked about the importance of acquiring players that show leadership skills and love football. As for the combine, it matters, but you don’t want to overvalue it relative to the tape. When drafting, he and the team will always prioritize the best player available, but tie goes to positions of need. He was asked about off ball linebacker scheme fits, and he said he doesn’t think it particularly matters what system they played in college. Offensive line was always going to be a priority, with or without Ikem Ekwonu’s injury.

Brandt Tilis​

Brandt talked to Anish Shroff about the Panthers roster and his moneyball approach. He said he had no real background playing sports at a high level, so reading Moneyball showed him that he could find a role in sports without being a good athlete. For the combine, he talked about the measurables having some role in the evaluation process, but it’s not going to completely override what shows up on tape. As for managing the cap, he said he is always looking a year or two ahead, so there’s no concern about what the cap looks like right now. He mentioned that the organization has not had extension talks with Bryce Young yet.

It’s interesting to hear Tilis talk. He’s clearly a very bright guy about football and math in general, not just the salary cap. The Panthers are going to want to keep him in the building as long as possible.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...the-panthers-press-conferences-at-the-combine

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Brian Answers: Draft prospects, trades, and more!

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Western Michigan defensive lineman Nadame Tucker (DL61) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Hello CSR! Welcome to Brian Answers, part two of your weekly Panthers fan mailbag for everyone! We’re in full combine swing, meaning the Draft is only two months away! Of course, we’ll have free agency in between, but this week’s mailbag was all about tomorrow’s NFL Draft picks. Let’s dive right in!

DBelt: How do you think you would perform at the combine? I want specific numbers for the 40, vertical, shuttle, three cone, bench press, and I want a detailed breakdown of your hip fluidity in the on-field drills

I would do poorly. My 40 numbers were never great in high school, I think the fastest I ran was a 5 sec flat. Shuttle, three cone, and hip fluidity all would not be great because I’d likely trip up an old injury, dislocated a vertebrae in my back during my football days and one wrong flip can make it awful. But I did run a heck of a slant route, I’m tall, and I can kinda jump. So I’d probably get drafted in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

@WTMealey: What two Panthers would you combine to make a better player?

They can play the same position and you just combine their best attributes and get rid of the negative

OR

They can play 2 different positions and maybe you pick one of those for them to play now giving player A some of Player B attributes that will make him better at his position

OR

If you combine them maybe now they play a 3rd position neither has played but now they would excel at it

I’d combine Nick Scott and Colin Jones. You’d have the best special teamer of all time, who can also be a 17 game starter at free safety, strong safety, or nickel corner when needed.

I’d also combine Jordan Gross with Ikem Ekwonu. You’d probably have the best left tackle of all time between Gross’s pass protection and Ekwonu’s run blocking ability.

bulletooftony: Brian, if there was one player who was found out to have a “mysterious heart condition”, and they fell to 19, who would it be?

Arvell Reese or Sonny Styles. Please and thank you.

KeepPounding88: What do you think is the most overrated or overhyped part of the Combine? Could be an individual drill, a storyline, etc

I kind of think the 40 yard dash is the most over-hyped, at least for the guys you’re drafting to be starters on offense or defense. How many times do they get to run straight ahead for a full sprint for 40 yards? Sure, there’s the Chris Johnsons of the world where that drill ends up upping their star power and paying off, but then you have plenty of John Rosses where that drill really didn’t matter a ton. For special teams, that drill makes sense.

I also am not a fan of how much the measurements of things like hand size and height are scrutinized. There’s definitely some merit to it, but people change entire draft projections over it. Just watch the tape, if tiny hands have an impact, you’ll see it there.

PantherBlueBlood: Do you draft a LT, Defensive Tackle, Edge or ILB at 19?

I’m definitely hoping the Panthers next starting interior linebacker is available at 19. Even if they sign one in free agency. They just don’t have enough there. But I would not be unhappy with any of the other choices. Left tackle may grind some gears, but they need a plan for Ekwonu and Taylor Moton in the future. It would be more of a forward thinking decision than an immediate impact decision (aside from Ekwonu’s injury rehab), and I am definitely in the camp of drafting for immediate impact. But any one of those positions makes sense. The Panthers are in the rare scenario where they have to basically wait to see how the Draft falls and make a decision.

Carolina Wine Mixer: Why is Jacob Rodriguez not a 1st rounder?

I linked the whole comment to see their analysis and subsequent comments. But ILB tends to be a position where they need to have top 5 potential to go in the first round. I certainly wouldn’t be upset if he ends up in Carolina somehow. But check out the link to see other Panthers fans thoughts!

Dcangio09: So what do Panther fans covet more in their center? Run blocking or pass blocking if you had to choose?

Another link to the full comment for additional insight and discussion. Personally, I like pass protection for a center, just because the guards tend to be the road graders on an offensive line. But a good center block on an inside run is always quality football.

schrodingersblackcat: Brian, what’s your biggest pet peeve? (CSR-related or otherwise. Rational or otherwise.)

I just want to preface this answer by saying this is not a shot at anyone who comments with questions, I really appreciate the participation and I encourage you to continue doing what you do. This column is only active because you all participate on a weekly basis.

I don’t like trying to predict trade ups or trade downs two plus months before the Draft, before free agency has even happened. Just because we don’t have enough information to really predict what the Draft is going to look like at that point. Teams will add players, re-sign others, and make trades before all of that. I also don’t like doing mock drafts until much closer to the Draft because again, things look very different a week before the Draft compared to in January. And the Draft never falls the way we expect anyway. I totally respect those who do enjoy that practice, but I am much more focused on what player the Panthers appear to have interest in.

dayneb12: Do you think Sonny Styles would be a player worth trading up for, and if so, how far up the board would be acceptable?

Sonny Styles seems like someone that would be worth considering for a trade up. I know, Trade Down Island is calling for my head right now. But Styles matches both a need and a high impact player, at least in theory. I’d be comfortable moving up to 10, but it would definitely cost the Panthers. And I’m just not sure they are in a position to make a trade like that. Way too many other positions they could use their draft capital on in the mid and late rounds.

That’s all for this week, Panthers fans! Join us again next week for another edition of the mailbag!

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...brian-answers-draft-prospects-trades-and-more

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Carolina Panthers discussion: Have you ever met a Panthers player or coach in real life?

We’re beyond the Super Bowl but not quite to the start of the new league year so it’s a somewhat quiet time in the NFL. Let’s pass the time by talking about the Panthers.

Where’s the most random place you’ve run into a Panthers player or coach, and who was it?

Join the conversation!​

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You could always tell us about any experience you’ve had meeting a Panthers player (or multiple players if it’s happened more than once) in real life.

Scroll down to the comment section below to weigh in with your experiences.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...-life-experiencese-autographs-fans-discussion

 

[Carolina Panthers]

The Scratching Post: 3/2-3/6

Greetings, internet users. Welcome to The Scratching Post and the new year.

Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.

You know the drill.

This is now an open thread

Join the conversation!​

Sign up for a user account and get:

• Fewer ads
• Create community posts
• Comment on articles, community posts
• Rec comments, community posts
• New, improved notifications system!

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/the-scratching-post/58298/the-scratching-post-3-2-3-6

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Potential Panthers Picks: Post-Combine Risers and Fallers

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 26: Sonny Styles of the Ohio State Buckeyes participates in the 40-yard dash during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In this article, we’ll take a look at players consistently mocked to the Carolina Panthers before the combine and how they performed in Indianapolis. For this list, we’ll be focusing on players consistently mocked to the Panthers, not players who pundits randomly have the Panthers taking in order to generate clicks or hot takes.

Risers​

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State​

Styles was a player who might not have made it to 19 before the combine. Afterwards, it will take a miracle for him to last that long come April’s draft. He absolutely blew away the combine events. At the end of the weekend, he had notched a 4.46 40-yard dash, 43.5” vertical, 11’2” broad jump, 7.09 three cone drill, and a 4.26 short shuttle. He did all that while measuring 6’5” and 244 lbs. He also looked insanely smooth in on-field drills, leading some analysts to predict he actually gets drafted before fellow Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese.

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon​

Sadiq has been a popular mock draft selection for the Panthers, which makes sense. The Panthers don’t have a tight end on the roster who has consistently shown the ability to be a game breaker in the receiving game. Sadiq measured well at 6’3” and 241 lbs, then absolutely blazed through a 4.39 forty. He also showed his explosiveness with a 43.5 inch vertical and 11’1” broad jump, all while cranking out 26 bench press reps. While the positional value might allow Sadiq to fall to the Panthers, this performance might entice a team in the teens to nab him.

Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF​

Every fringe first round edge prospect has been mocked to the Panthers at some point. Lawrence helped himself by putting on one of the best overall performances at this year’s combine for an edge defender. He showed he has the combination of size (6’4”, 253 lbs, 33 5/8” arms) and athleticism (4.52 forty, 40” vertical, 10’10” broad) combination that teams love to have on the edge.

Caleb Banks, DT, Florida​

Banks has been slowly getting more and more steam over the last several weeks, largely due to his potential. His physical testing just reinforced how physically dominant he could be at the next level. Banks was built in a lab: 6’6”, 327 lbs, 35” arms, 5.04 forty, 32” vert, and 9’6” broad jump. Those who saw Banks in person marveled at how well put-together he was physically, and his athleticism was on full display. Over the last couple of weeks, Banks has been potentially challenging the top ten, and this performance (assuming the medicals also checked out) plus his performance at the Senior Bowl might just catapult him into that range.

Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt​

A popular second round mock selection for the Panthers, Stowers is often considered TE2 in this draft. While he was never going to run as fast as Sadiq, he still put on a great show of speed for his size, running a 4.51 forty at 6’4”, 239 lbs. On top of that, he had an absolutely outrageous 45.5” vertical and 11’3” broad jump. If the Panthers don’t take Sadiq in round one, they better hope Stowers is still there at pick 51.

Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia​

The Panthers need a home run hitter on offense, and many mocks had Branch going to the Panthers in the second round. Branch showed the film speed is for real, running a 4.35 forty with a 1.5 second ten yard split. He also showed good explosion with a 38” vertical and 10’5” broad jump, both of which are impressive for a guy who is only 5’9”. One of the more impressive aspects for me was the 20 bench press reps considering the 225 lbs on the bench are more than Branch weighs.

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech​

Rodriguez is a CSR favorite for the Panthers third round selection, and he may have to be picked a round earlier than that to guarantee the Panthers get him. While his size won’t wow anyone (6’1”, 231 lbs), he showed an athleticism that some scouts were concerned he might not have. He ran a 4.57 forty, had a 38.5” vertical and 10’1” broad jump, and ran a sub-7-second three cone drill at 6.9 to go with a 4.19 short shuttle. The speed, agility, and acceleration were all areas that teams weren’t sure would hold up against NFL players. Rodriguez proved that he has enough of those elements to match his insane college production.

Fallers​

LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama​

Overton was a player who many thought could sneak into the mid second round, right around where the Panthers are picking at 51. With the Panthers so desperately needing pass rush, Overton made some sense. He has a lot of positives to his game, but athleticism was one area he needed a good showing at the combine to lock him into the second round or even push for a late first round selection. While he does have decent size (6’3”, 274 lbs), he only ran a 4.87 forty. He was already viewed as a bit of a tweener, and that lack of athleticism has many wondering if he can stick as a true edge or if he’ll have to move inside to be an undersized five technique tackle.

R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma​

Thomas has the exact opposite problem of Overton. While his athletic testing was good (4.67 forty), his size is a little concerning for some teams. He only stands 6’2” and weighs 241 lbs. That in and of itself isn’t a huge issue, but it becomes concerning when you combine it with his 31 5/8” arms. He’s already much smaller than the offensive lineman he’ll be up against in the NFL, and his short arms will make it even tougher for him to disengage when his athleticism isn’t enough to get past a blocker.

Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State​

A lot of folks had McDonald as a potential late first round pick, probably sliding into the beginning of the second round. While he didn’t participate in athletic testing, he did do some position specific drills. Teams were hoping he’d show the athleticism to provide hope that he’d eventually grow into a three down defensive tackle, but his stiffness in on-field drills lessened that hope. If a team is going to take a nose tackle in the first round, he better be able to at least project as a halfway decent pass rusher in the future.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...anthers-picks-post-combine-risers-and-fallers

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Ask Brian: Free Agency opens up shortly

Nov 2, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Carolina Panthers safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) intercepts a pass thrown by Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love during the third quarter of their game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images | Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Hello CSR! Welcome to Ask Brian, your weekly Panthers fan mail bag for everyone! The combine is behind us, and the first fun part of the off-season kicks off next week, as the legal tampering period will begin and a flurry of free agent signings will be announced ahead of the new league year. This is one of the best times to enjoy the off field parts of the NFL, and the Panthers should certainly be involved in it. They don’t have a lot of cap space, but they can certainly free up a large chunk between now and then, and there will likely be some release releases and contract restructures to make that happen.

I know many of you have been speculating about what the next moves are, and this is your place to discuss them and ask any question you’d like, whether they be Panthers related, football related, or even completely off-topic! Sound off down below in the comments and I will have answers to all of your questions later on in the week in part two of the mail bag!

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca.../58339/ask-brian-free-agency-opens-up-shortly

 

[Carolina Panthers]

How the Panthers 2026 salary cap is being impacted by dead money and the rollover

As the Panthers prepare for free agency, how is their salary cap situation being impacted by dead money and rolling over unused salary cap from last year?

According to Spotrac, Carolina currently has $7.6 million in available cap space, which ranks 18th in the league. That number could change at any time if the front office decides to restructure some contracts before free agency kicks off.

The 2026 NFL salary cap has been set at $301.2 million, but there are other factors at play that determine what the Panthers can actually spend. Two of the more important variables playing into Carolina’s 2026 cap number are the “rollover” from last year (the team’s unspent 2025 cap dollars) and the dead money the Panthers carry on their books from terminating previous contracts. Let’s take a look at both of these areas.

Cap rollover

Panthers rollover: +$13.8 million

League rank: 11st

Under NFL rules, salary cap that goes unspent in the previous year rolls over into the team’s cap number the following season. The Panthers are rolling over nearly $14 million in unspent dollars from 2025, which is a good position to be in. That said, this team is still far from a finished product and needs all the available cap space it can get to put ultimately put the finishing touches on a rebuild that has taken the better part of a decade at this point.

This also puts the Panthers in a much better position when compared to a season ago. In 2025 Carolina only rolled over about $490,000 from 2024. General manager Dan Morgan did well to keep at least some of his powder dry throughout 2025 to be able to roll over additional funds into 2026. Having an extra $13.8 million in the kitty is a positive for the Panthers.

Dead money

Panthers dead cap: -$14.6 million

League rank: 17th

At a high level, teams incur “dead money” when they trade, release, or restructure contracts for players who still have guaranteed money owed to them when their contract with the team is nullified. This “dead cap” number from money still owed to departing players is subtracted from the team’s total salary cap. Now, not all dead money is bad, per se. Incurring dead money can actually free up cap space on a net positive basis if the player has a larger cap hit than guaranteed dollars remaining on his contract when traded or released.

The Panthers are carrying $14.6 million of dead money into 2026, which wipes out the $13.8 million rollover and then some. To put that in perspective, Carolina has the 17th highest dead cap figure in the league, so just at the league’s median. The highest dead cap number is the New York Jets at an absurd $91.2 million, followed closely by the New Orleans Saints at $90.6 million as the Saints continue to make a mockery of the salary cap year over year.

Nearly all of the Panthers $14.6 million in dead cap comes from four players: Austin Corbett ($4.4M), Adam Thielen ($3.3M), Shy Tuttle ($3.2M), and Josey Jewell ($2.3M).

Overall, general manager Dan Morgan has been smart in managing both the rollover and team’s dead cap dollars. The Panthers haven’t really been benefitted by freeing up millions of dollars to sign a host of high-priced free agents, but conversely the team isn’t on the hook for massive dead cap dollars after voiding bad contracts.

Morgan doesn’t have much cap space to work with as of today. Let’s hope he spends it wisely.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...being-impacted-by-dead-money-and-the-rollover

 

[Carolina Panthers]

2026 CSR Mock Draft 2.0

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 01: Monroe Freeling #OL24 of Georgia participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 1, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The 2026 NFL Combine has come to a close, with some players seeing a rise to their draft stocks after getting a chance to impress NFL coaches and scouts in on-field drills, athletic tests, and interviews throughout the week. With those performances fresh in our minds, let’s take a guess at what round one will look like in April’s NFL Draft. For the sake of this particular mock draft, we will not be using trades. The selections here are what I think teams will do, which will undoubtedly be wrong, so feel free to mock the mock in the comment section!

Pick 1, Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana​

This will be the first pick. Copy and paste for every mock draft hereon out. Tom Brady is with the ownership group, and I’m sure he’ll fall in love with a fellow Big 10 quarterback. Mendoza will step into a decent situation: current Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is now the head coach, Ashton Jeanty will be in the backfield, and Brock Bowers is an elite pass catching option.

Pick 2, New York Jets – Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State​

The Jets also have the 16th pick if they want a first round quarterback, so they’ll likely use this pick to improve their defense. They recently traded away a stand-up edge rusher, and Reese said that’s what he wants to be viewed as at the next level.

Pick 3, Arizona Cardinals – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah​

The Cardinals are another team that likely need a quarterback this offseason, but third overall is a little too high a price given the other talents available. They also desperately need offensive line help, and Fano had a very good combine performance. The tackle depth in the draft is not as good as the edge depth, so they’ll likely want to get a tackle early.

Pick 4, Tennessee Titans – Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami​

Robert Saleh is a defensive guy, and he’ll definitely want to improve the Titans pass rush. Despite having shorter arms than what teams prefer in their edge rushers, Bain’s production throughout his collegiate career can’t be ignored.

Pick 5, New York Giants – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State​

John Harbaugh is the new sheriff in town and will hopefully learn from his mistake of not providing his QB with young weapons. Malik Nabers is returning from injury, so he might need some time to get back in the swing of things. Tate can provide a jolt to the offense and be a fantastic complement to Nabers when he does return.

Pick 6, Cleveland Browns – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)​

The Browns are in need of a quarterback like many other teams picking this high in the draft. None of this draft’s remaining quarterbacks are worth a top six pick, so the Browns will likely decide to bolster a weak offensive line. Mauigoa is the type of lineman who instantly changes the vibe of the whole unit.

Pick 7, Washington Commanders – David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech​

The Commanders defense combined with injury issues for Jayden Daniels to create a very disappointing season in Washington. Dan Quinn will likely want to add some young targets for Daniels, but the Commanders’ pash rush was not great last year. Bailey slots in as one of their top threats off the edge as soon as he hits the field.

Pick 8, New Orleans Saints – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame​

The Saints may have found their quarterback of the future, so they will likely try to surround him with as many weapons as possible. Alvin Kamara is getting older and doesn’t have the same home run ability that Love does. Adding an explosive element to the run game would definitely help Shough continue to grow.

Pick 9, Kansas City Chiefs – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon​

A down year for the Chiefs led to their first top ten pick in a long time. Travis Kelce might be playing his final season, so they’ll need a succession plan for him. Mahomes also loves throwing to tight ends in general, and Sadiq was incredible at the combine during the athletic testing.

Pick 10, Cincinnati Bengals – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State​

The Bengals defense needs help at every level, and Styles has the versatility to help in a few different spots. He’s a former safety turned linebacker and showed promise as a blitzer and stand-up edge rusher last season. With his insane measurables at the combine, he’s shooting up boards.

Pick 11, Miami Dolphins – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU​

The Dolphins hired Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to be their next head coach, and Hafley will probably want to bolster the Dolphins secondary. Delane has been a consistently elite coverage corner with consistent positive grades against the run as well, perfect for a team trying to remake their defensive identity.

Pick 12, Dallas Cowboys – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State​

No one ever knows what Jerry Jones will do with the Cowboys. Now that George Pickens has the franchise tag, he’ll likely forego a receiver in this spot. If Downs falls to this point, I could see the Cowboys running the card in. Their defense was horrible, and Downs would at least be able to help on the back end.

Pick 13, Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons) – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee​

The Rams need help at the cornerback position, relying on young players and journeymen. McCoy is coming back from an ACL tear, but all the reports from Indianapolis make it seem like there were no red flags during his physical. He’d be an immediate upgrade for one of the best teams in the league.

Pick 14, Baltimore Ravens – Makai Lemon, WR, USC​

Every year it seems like the Ravens need to do more to help Lamar Jackson in terms of outside targets. Every year it seems like they mess it up. Here’s another throw at the dart board for Baltimore. I think Lemon would immediately be one of the more trusted targets for Lamar.

Pick 15, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami​

The Bucs need help with their pass rush, and Mesidor is one of the best in the class. With the coaching staff and front office likely on thin ice after another disappointing season, I could see them not caring about Mesidor’s age and taking the most pro-ready edge rusher in the draft.

Pick 16, New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State​

Aaron Glenn might be a lame duck head coach, so the front office might be wary about spending a top pick on a quarterback. Instead, they should try to make the situation as tenable as possible for the eventual rookie QB. Adding Tyson will provide another element to the Jets anemic offense. Having Tyson, AD Mitchell, and Garrett Wilson would be quite the corps for a young signal caller to throw to.

Pick 17, Detroit Lions – Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn​

The Lions would really love someone opposite Aiden Hutchinson. While Faulk is still a bit raw, his tools are hard to ignore. Learning from Hutch and Dan Campbell and company could help Faulk put it all together. If he does manage to put it together, the rest of the NFC North would not be happy.

Pick 18, Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon​

The Vikings are paying Brian Flores a lot of money to run a very good defense, and Thieneman could be the next player to really thrive under Flores. He blew away scouts at the combine, showing speed and athleticism that scouts and analysts weren’t necessarily expecting.

Pick 19, Carolina Panthers – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia​

Freeling has been a late riser in this draft process, and that rise continued with his combine performance. He became the first player in NFL combine history to be at least 6-foot-7, 315-pounds and post a sub-5.00 40-yard dash (4.93), a vertical jump over 30 inches (33.5”) and a broad jump over nine feet (9’7”). It is starting to feel more and more like Ikem Ekwonu could miss the entire 2026 season, so the Panthers will need to protect Bryce Young’s blindside. When Ekwonu is healthy, he could kick over to RT or even slide in at one of the guard spots if needed.

Pick 20, Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers) – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson​

The Cowboys took Downs earlier this round, and they continue to invest in their secondary here. He’s a big time competitor and would add some serious grit to the Cowboys secondary. He’s not the biggest corner in the draft, but he’s a fighter.

Pick 21, Pittsburgh Steelers – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama​

The Mike McCarthy age begins in Pittsburgh, and whether or not Aaron Rogers is part of this new age is still yet to be determined. Regardless, Rogers won’t be playing for too much longer. Simpson started off the season white hot but struggled down the stretch. Doing the Packers method of letting him sit behind the aging former star could lead help him adjust to the NFL game.

Pick 22, Los Angeles Chargers – Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State​

Another year, another offensive line need for the Chargers. Mike McDaniel is the offensive coordinator in LA now, and a strong offensive line is important for his run schemes. Ioane has the size to dominate in the run game (6’4”, 320 lbs) and is athletic enough to keep Justin Herbert clean on the interior.

Pick 23, Philadelphia Eagles – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama​

Proctor has had a history of weight issues and showed up at the combine at “just” 352 lbs. The Eagles could follow the Mekhi Becton blueprint and move Proctor inside. If he’s able to keep the weight off, he could eventually replace Lane Johnson whenever he decides to retire.

Pick 24, Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars) – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M​

The Browns already took a tackle earlier this round, so they would probably want to give their young quarterback (either Shadeur Sanders or a draft pick in 2026 or 2027) a weapon to grow with. Concepcion is a nightmare to cover in tight spaces and dynamite with the ball in his hands. He also has experience running the football on sweeps and end arounds and could have a positive impact on the return game.

Pick 25, Chicago Bears – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida​

Banks is steadily rising back up draft boards as he continues to show that his injuries appear to be completely behind him. He impressed at the senior bowl and completely demolished the combine. Health is the main concern for him, but his upside makes this feel like a steal for the Bears this late in the round.

Pick 26, Buffalo Bills – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia​

The Bills are in a state of flux at the moment, and Joe Brady is the new head coach. With Brady being an offensive minded guy and having his quarterback in Josh Allen, he might look to draft a quarterback of the defense. Allen fits that mold. While he struggles in pass coverage at times, he is often looked at as a perfect “green dot” linebacker at the next level.

Pick 27, San Francisco 49ers – Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee​

With the likely departure of Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, the 49ers receiving room goes from a strength to a weakness rather quickly. Ricker Pearsall is often injured but is a talented slot receiver. Brazzell could be the X receiver and showed off insane athleticism (4.37 forty) and physical attributes (6’4”, 198 lbs, 80 1/8 inch wingspan) at the combine.

Pick 28, Houston Texans – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State​

The Texans defense is already one of the best in the league, so they need to improve on the offensive side of the ball to provide some balance. CJ Stroud looked terrible in the playoffs, so adding some protection might bring back some of his confidence.

Pick 29, Los Angeles Rams – Omar Cooper Jr, WR, Indiana​

If the Rams take a corner earlier in the round, it would make sense for them to take a receiver later in the first. Puka Nakua and Davante Adams make for an elite pair, but Adams won’t be playing for too much longer. By running a 4.42-second 40-yard dash and jumping 37 inches in the vertical, Cooper showed he’s more than just a technically sound, versatile receiver.

Pick 30, Denver Broncos – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson​

The Broncos were able to ride their defense to the AFC Championship game, but there might be losing a few guys to free agency. John Franklin-Myers is one of those guys, and he had 14.5 sacks the last two seasons for the Broncos. Peter Woods could fill that role as a pass rushing defensive lineman.

Pick 31, New England Patriots – TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson​

The Patriots already have a stout defense led by a great defensive head coach. That said, they were only 19th overall in pass rush win rate according to ESPN. Parker is a very good pass rusher despite his sack production falling last season. He managed a 28.6% win rate on true pass sets, showing that he was still able to generate pressure despite not sealing the deal as much.

Pick 32, Seattle Seahawks – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington​

Many counted Boston as one of the post-combine fallers because he did not participate in much athletic testing. Still, he fits the mold of a true X receiver, which would pair really well with Jaxon Smith-Njigba in Seattle. Adding to the offense while keeping the defense strong could lead to a repeat for the Seahawks.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/carolina-panthers-draft/58351/2026-csr-mock-draft-2-0

 

[Carolina Panthers]

What are futures contracts and who have the Panthers signed?

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Saahdiq Charles #77 of the Washington Commanders takes the field prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at FedExField on September 24, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Carolina Panthers are coming off an 8-9 season and surprising NFC South division title.

While many Panthers players who were on the active roster last season are already under contract for 2026 as the team hopes to build off last year’s success, there are a handful of fringe players Carolina is either returning from last year or bringing in new for the upcoming campaign. Players who weren’t on the roster at the end of the season – mostly practice squad players, undrafted free agents, and other under-the-radar guys – are eligible to sign something called a “futures contract” with any team.

Futures contracts are mutually beneficial to the team and to the players who choose to sign them.

From a team perspective, futures contracts allow front offices to bring back younger players and bring in some new blood who could show improvement over the offseason. After signing futures contracts players can’t negotiate with, sign with, or be poached by another team. These players count against Carolina’s 90-man camp limit, but not the 53-man roster.

From a player compensation standpoint, those who sign futures contracts are usually paid the league minimum given their years of experience. These deals rarely include signing bonuses. But the money is often secondary for these players who are operating on the outer orbits of the NFL universe. What they’re really getting is a measure of security by being able to work out with the team during the offseason, strengthen relationships with teammates and coaches, and hopefully prepare themselves to make the 53-man roster the following season.

Futures contracts are usually a win-win.

Here’s the list of the players the Panthers have signed in 2026 as they look to repeat as NFC South champions.

Offense​

Running back – Montrell Johnson, Anthony Tyus

Wide receiver – Dan Chisena, Ja’Seem Reed, Ainias Smith

Tight end – Bryce Pierre

Guard – Ja’Tyre Carter, Saahdiq Charles, Joshua Gray

Defense​

Linebacker – Maz Mwansa, Jacoby Windmon, Jared Bartlett

Outside linebacker – Jamil Muhammad

Cornerback – Tyrek Funderburk

Safety – Demani Richardson

Players to Watch​

Ainias Smith, wide receiver

The Panthers are desperate to upgrade their wide receiver room, and Ainias Smith has at least an outside shot at sticking around Carolina for another season. He played his college ball at Texas A&M before being a fifth round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2024 draft. He appeared in seven games during his rookie season, which is nothing to sneeze at given the Eagles won the Super Bowl that year. In 2024 he produced seven receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown.

He was released by Philly after his rookie season and signed with the Panthers practice squad last year. At 24 years old and now in his second season in Carolina, he still has some upside.

Saahdiq Charles, guard

Unlike many players on futures contracts, Charles is a five-year NFL veteran who has appeared in 37 career games, including two last year for the Panthers. Originally a fourth round pick in the 2020 draft, Charles played four seasons for the Washington Commanders, starting 18 of 35 games in which he appeared.

However, in 2024 he signed a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans and won the starting guard spot, but then unexpectedly retired. He “unretired” in 2025 and ended up landing on the Panthers practice squad last October. The Panthers need quality depth across the offensive line, and Charles has been a starter in the past. At 26 years old, he’s still in his prime, provided he has overcome his previous challenges that led to him briefly stepping away from the NFL.

Jacoby Windmon, linebacker

Windmon is a familiar name to Panthers fans. He came to Carolina in 2024 when the Panthers signed him to their active roster from the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad. That year he appeared in eight games with two starts for the Panthers, recording 22 tackles and 1.5 sacks. In 2025 returned to Carolina and spent most of the season on the practice squad, though he did appear in one game playing nine special teams snaps. The Panthers need linebackers, and this will be Windmon’s third year in the system. Perhaps he makes the leap in 2026, his age-25 season.

Demani Richardson, safety

Speaking of familiar names on the Panthers defense…Demani Richardson came to Carolina in 2024 as an undrafted free agent. He surprised everyone by not only making the roster that year, but starting five of 14 games with 51 tackles and an interception. Richardson returned to Carolina last year but his role was largely reduced to special teams work. Last season he appeared in 13 games for the Panthers with 29 defensive snaps and 167 on special teams, registering seven tackles and a fumble recovery. Look for Richardson to at minimum reprise his special teams role, and hopefully he can grow into a quality depth player in the secondary.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...es-contracts-and-who-have-the-panthers-signed

 

[Carolina Panthers]

The Panthers combine visits show us where their priorities lie

Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The combine has come and gone. The measurements are all well and good, but for a lot of teams, the chance to meet with players face to face is just as, if not more important. The Carolina Panthers likely met with a lot of players, but we only got a few reported to us. While a combine visit doesn’t necessarily mean the team is going to try to pick the player on draft night, Dan Morgan and company have shown a tendency to make their affection for prospects pretty well known and tend to stick to picking players the meet with. And there’s a trend with the players the Panthers reportedly visited with that shows exactly what the front office is trying to improve.

This visit tracker by Reddit user Dayne_B12 has tallied seven visits at the combine. One of them, Sawyer Robertson, is a quarterback, which goes along with what Dan Morgan has said about bringing competition into the quarterback room. The rest are all defensive players, and half of those are off ball linebackers. Here’s the list:

• Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
• CJ Allen, LB, Ohio State
• Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
• Kedrick Faulk, Edge, Auburn
• Genesis Smith, S, Auburn
• Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
• Sawyer Robertson, QB, Baylor

The Panthers have met with three prospects projected to go in the first round—Styles, Allen, and Faulk. Rodriguez is expected to go on Day 2. Clearly, defense is the priority, and linebackers and edge rushers top the wish list.

Styles seems like the crown jewel, an athletic freak that also produced at a high level for one of the best programs in the country. The only way he makes it to Carolina is if he’s devalued simply for the position he plays. After him is Allen, who doesn’t have nearly the pop but is a good intangibles guy. Rodriguez is our annual uber productive linebacker that for some reason is expected to test poorly then tests well so he gets a big bump in the pre-draft rankings. He’s definitely in play in round two.

Kedrick Fualk is a high character guy with elite traits. He’s a bet on potential, but he’s also the exact type of human that is most likely to reach that potential.

The other visits are mid round guys that would shore up depth.

Regardless of the names of the players visited, it’s very clear what the Panthers want to do with this draft class. There’s a good chance it’s at least partially reminiscent of the 2020 draft where Carolina drafted all defensive players. While this one probably won’t be that extreme, there’s a good chance the blueprint is similar.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...ine-visits-show-us-where-their-priorities-lie

 

[Carolina Panthers]

CSR Weekend Warriors: 3/6-3/8

Greetings, Panthers fans. Welcome to the weekend.

Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.

You know the drill.

This is now an open thread

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/the-scratching-post/58378/csr-weekend-warriors-3-6-3-8

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Five bargain free agents who could bolster the Panthers pass rush

Nov 2, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) is sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Last season too many of the Panthers opposing quarterbacks left the field at the end of the game with mostly clean jerseys. Sure, their jerseys may have been marred by sweat, spit, and maybe a Gatorade spill, but too few of them had grass stains. Lacking a signature edge rusher, the Panthers defense struggled to generate pressure on the quarterback in more than a few games last year.

Carolina’s 35 sacks in 2025 ranked tied for 20th in the league and was miles away from league leaders like the Raiders 64 sacks and the 60 put up by the Jets, Chargers, and Vikings. Carolina lacked a Pro Bowl-type player coming off the edge with the ability to put up double-digit sacks. Generating pressure was a team effort with the highest individual sack totals being the five put up by defensive tackle Derrick Brown and rookie outside linebacker Nic Scourton.

While it’s unlikely the Panthers will (or even can) break the bank for an elite edge rusher in this year’s free agency, there are some under-the-radar players who have proven they can get to the quarterback as reserves. While none of these guys are the silver bullet to fix an ailing Panthers pass rush, they could potentially help Carolina take a step forward in 2026 on low salary cap numbers.

And remember — these are affordable, largely rotational guys. They are inexpensive free agents with estimated cap hits below $5 million. So instead of just saying, “That guy isn’t good!” the right way to think of this is “Could this player at least generate some pressure and a few sacks as a bargain rotational player?”

Azeez Ojulari, edge

File this one under “low risk, high reward”. Ojulari was a second round pick in 2021 and has performed well when healthy. It’s just that “when healthy” part that can’t be overlooked. He had eight sacks in his rookie season but was limited to just seven games in his sophomore campaign, but even then he had 5.5 sacks. Between 2023 and 2024 he appeared in 22 games with 8.5 more sacks.

Last year he signed a 1-year, $3 million deal with the Eagles but his season lasted just three games due to a hamstring injury. In all, the 25-year-old has 22 sacks and 67 pressures in 49 career games. Spotrac is estimating his free agent value is just below $2 million, and that may be a gamble worth taking.

Clelin Ferrell, edge

The former Clemson star hasn’t lived up to the expectations as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 draft, but seven-year pro can still get to the quarterback. Despite joining four different teams over the last three years, Ferrell has 11.5 sacks and 37 pressures during that span. In 2025 he played a total of nine games betweenthe Chargers and the 49ers and registered four sacks an 11 pressures in just 240 total defensive snaps. That’s not going to get him a Pro Bowl nod, but there’s still some juice left in the tank of the 28-year-old free agent.

Eric Wilson, linebacker

Not all pressure needs to come off the edge. Eric Wilson is entering his tenth NFL season and in 2025 put up career highs with 6.5 sacks and 17 pressures on a one-year deal, $2.6 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings. Spotrac projects his value to be around $4.3 million in 2026 after his solid output last year, though that seems a bit low for a guy coming off a 108-tackle, 6.5 sack season. At 31 years old he could be a good short-term solution for the Panthers.

Justin Strnad, linebacker

At 29-years-old, Justin Strnad is an NFL late bloomer. Originally a fifth-round pick in 2020 he registered just 46 tackles over his first three professional seasons. But over the last two years he has recorded 131 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 18 pressures. He has spent his first five seasons with the Denver Broncos and played last year on a one-year, $2.8 million contract. Spotrac estimates his market value at $3.8 million in 2026.

Tim Settle, interior defensive line

Through eight NFL seasons Tim Settle has 15 career sacks, which isn’t bad for rotational interior defensive lineman. As recently as 2024 he had five sacks, 14 pressures, and 31 tackles. Entering his age-29 season he still has plenty of gas left in the tank. Settle just finished playing out a two-year, $6 million deal with the Houston Texans and Spotrac estimates his market value at $3.7 million this year.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...ents-who-could-bolster-the-panthers-pass-rush

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Brian Answers: Target free agents, cap jump rope, and more!

Nov 9, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Taylor Moton (72) takes the field before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Hello CSR! Welcome to Brian Answers, part two of your weekly Panthers fan mailbag for everyone! This is your space to ask questions, and discuss any topic you’d like. We’re powering right into the free agency period next week, and its dream time across the NFL. Let’s jump right into all your questions!

Chef: Give me your under the radar FA that you’d love to see us pick up as well as your big name guy that you don’t want to see in Carolina…

My guy that just dawned on me last week would actually be former Tampa Bay RB Rachaad White. Now, he’s certainly not the most effective rusher, but in his last season with Dave Canales in TB, he was targeted 70 times for 64 receptions, 549 yards, and 3 TDs for 8.6 yards per reception, most of which were career highs as a receiver. The Panthers clearly work throws to the running backs into the offense under this regime, and I think he’d be a sneaky good running back signing that would not impede them from playing Jonathon Brooks or Trevor Etienne either. He’d be a very complimentary piece that Canales and Brad Idzik have a ton of familiarity with from their Tampa Bay days, and I would not expect him to be expensive. He wasn’t super productive last season even while Bucky Irving was out much of the year.

Let’s stick with the Tampa Bay theme on this one, I wouldn’t necessarily like them bringing in WR Mike Evans, even if he would improve the WR group. I think Tetairoa McMillan occupies that role, and Jalen Coker can do the same if something happens to T Mac. The Panthers haven’t been linked to Evans much, and I figure he’d go to a Super Bowl contender, but the connection with the Panthers head coach and offensive coordinator is certainly there.

positivebob: I know Morgan sounds like he’s going to let guys test FA, but who are some guys he should try to resign before risking losing them? I would try to keep Mays, Martin, and Rozeboom, maybe Nijman and BC.

I think you try to bring back Cade Mays and/or Brady Christensen for sure if you can. Both are starter caliber centers for this team, but Mays may be expensive to bring back and should attract a decent market. Yosh Nijman also makes a lot of sense to bring back as the starter while Ikem Ekwonu is injured, but the Panthers may opt to bring in someone with a more future-thinking focus than just to fill in for Ekwonu while he’s out. I also think you bring Nick Scott back, since he was a 17 game starter at safety.

DBelt: How much should the Panthers pay Nick Scott to come back? Who should they cut to free up enough cap space for him?

I’d say just cut Tre’Von Moehrig and give Nick Scott a similar contract. Lathan Ransom is ready! (winky face)

Panthers75: How much cap space is there? Actually? Over the cap had the team at 10 million with 14 million in dead money. I know that guys will get cut and that will change but I’ve seen some wildly different figures

D.A. Sweat did a beautiful job of breaking down the Panthers current cap situation. I encourage you to check it out.

Soutelo: Will the Panthers be in the running for the following FA’s? If you could have two, who would you prioritize? Rasheed Walker, Braxton Jones, Devin Lloyd, Devin Bush, Odafe Oweh, Boye Mafe, Alec Pierce, Romeo Doubs.

Devin Lloyd is someone they absolutely should push to bring in, while Devin Bush could be the consolation prize if a situation similar to the Patriots signing Milton Williams were to happen again. I also like Romeo Doubs as the veteran guy with a skillset that should add to the wide receiver room. None of the names you gave should be cheap.

Old Dominion Panther: Hey, Brian! I haven’t posted on here in a while. What are your thoughts on Joe Person’s latest report out of the Combine? Specifically, that DM and company are spending a lot of time accessing the O-Line and even name-dropping Kadyn Proctor as an option at pick 19? Of course, there has to be some truth to it with Ickey’s injury, Moton’s age, and all of the impending free agents. But, do you think that this could possibly be a smokescreen scenario, like with Jalon Walker last year? Or, is it more probable that it’s a pidgeonhole scenario, like with XL a couple of years ago? Cheers!

I think the Panthers truly are doing their due diligence on every position of potential need, and part of that has to do with picking at 19 in the first round. There’s no real way to predict how the 18 picks before them will shake out and who would be available that will make sense. They need to draft another starting tackle eventually, and Ekwonu’s injury may have sped up that timeline since the guy would likely step in right away. But I don’t think the Panthers are locked on any one player or position at this point.

Padrino: Chewy bacon or crispy bacon? Im a chewy bacon person.

Depends on the size and thickness of the slice. I’m a big fan of a huge chewy slice of bacon. But your average, smaller strip of bacon, crunchy is definitely my preference. I don’t think there’s a wrong answer with bacon though.

dayneb12: A lot of people have been talking about Devin Lloyd to the Panthers, but what I’ve read about him is that he had his best success in a 4-3 defense. Should the Panthers avoid someone who may not be a good fit for the defensive scheme?

I don’t think its an issue of 4-3 vs 3-4 as much as simply playing a guy in the right spot. Every defensive scheme is different despite what base shell defense they play. Its more of whether the Panthers think he’d succeed as the Mike linebacker in their scheme or the Will linebacker. I think he’d do just fine at either one. He’ll be fine, I wouldn’t overthink the scheme thing.

carolinajerry: Coker is an ERFA and can be kept for about $1M. Do you think the Panthers even consider extending him now or is this a clear “just tender him and revisit later” situation? What would you extend him for?

The Panthers went ahead and tendered Jalen Coker the exclusive rights tag, so that all tracks. I think they should consider extending him sooner than later, but this isn’t something they have to figure out prior to free agency. They are more than able to sign him to an extension once free agency and the Draft have shaken out. It would likely be prudent to do so if they expect him to continue producing. Wide Receiver contracts are only going to get more expensive. But, that also doesn’t mean Coker (or more likely, his agent) will accept a lower value deal right now. It’ll be interesting, but we may not hear about this at all in 2026.

carolinajerry: If the Panthers want to open up cap space this offseason, whose contracts make the most sense to restructure or extend? And where’s the line where you start pushing too much cap into the future, particularly if Bryce is on track for a big deal?

I’d say all 4 of their top names make sense to restructure, though I would hope they don’t do it with all of them. Derrick Brown, Robert Hunt, Jaycee Horn, and Tre’Von Moehrig are all foundational players when healthy, and could free up a ton of space. I think the line would be restructuring any more than 3 of their top 7 in salary cap allocations, regardless of how you feel about Bryce Young. I don’t think blasting a bunch of money in this year’s free agency period will magically get Carolina into the NFC Championship conversation, they need to really nail the draft and be smart (but aggressive) in free agency to continue building a team with longer term viability. But that’s just my two cents, let me know if you agree in the comments.

Join us next week for another edition of the weekly Panthers fan mailbag!

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...ers-target-free-agents-cap-jump-rope-and-more

 

[Carolina Panthers]

The Panthers’ 3 biggest needs entering 2026 free agency

Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers team owner David Tepper and General Manager Dan Morgan during the first quarter between the Carolina Panthers and the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The “legal tampering period” before free agency opens today. That is to say that between now and the start of free agency on Wednesday, NFL teams will have the opportunity to leak all of the illegal tampering that they have been engaged in for weeks. Priorities for this offseason were clear (bolster the defense!) right up until Ickey Ekwonu ruptured his patellar tendon in January’s wild card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Now they are back to having pressing needs on both sides of the ball.

Linebacker​

The Carolina Panthers made massive improvements in their defensive metrics in 2025 compared to 2024, but they were still unbelievably soft against the run. The return of Derrick Brown could only do so much.

The surprise loss of Josey Jewell last offseason really turned over the Panthers plans at linebacker and it quickly became apparent that the pairing of Trevin Wallace and Christian Roseboom were a liability. Despite their improvement down the stretch of the season, upgrades at linebacker are still expected to be a priority for Dan Morgan this year.

For all that edge help is also high on the Panthers wishlist, I wouldn’t be shocked to see them sign a higher tier free agent at inside linebacker before shopping in the bargain bin for another pass rusher.

Edge​

Second year players Nic Scourton (a revelation) and Princely Umanmielen (a bit of a mystery) form a strong, young core of edge rushers, but they are more a hope for the future than a delivered promise right now. Patrick Jones II looks to be the closest thing to a veteran presence on the team right now and that isn’t good enough.

Scourton and Umanmielen would benefit from a strong veteran to learn from and the team as a whole would take a big step forward if they were able to find consistent pressure from their edge defenders.

Offensive line​

With Ickey likely to miss most, if not all, of 2026 and center Cade Mays testing the free agency waters, the Panthers have two positions of flux in Bryce Young’s protection. Young needs a stable pocket to find success, especially in the first quarter.

One, if not both, of these positions need to get locked down this week if the Panthers want to keep the hopes of a wild card repeat alive.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...ers-3-biggest-needs-entering-2026-free-agency

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Carolina Panthers free agency tracker: Rumors, news and all reported signings and updates

Aug 2, 2025; Charlottle, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) shakes hands with guard Brady Christensen (70) during Fanfest at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The legal tampering window opens in just an hour. There’s no smoke yet, but we do expect the Panthers to start rubbing sticks together as soon as they can. That means agreeing to terms, restructuring contracts, and altogether shoring up roster holes ahead of next month’s NFL Draft. Keep your eyes here for all the news as it happens.

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Carolina Panthers 2026 free agents​

• LB Krys Barnes
• OL Brady Christensen
• OL Austin Corbett
• OL Jake Curhan
• RB Rico Dowdle
• CB Akayleb Evans
• OLB Trevis Gipson
• P Sam Martin
• CB Damarri Mathis
• OL Cade Mays
• WR David Moore
• OT Yosh Nijman
• CB Robert Rochell
• LB Christian Rozeboom
• S Nick Scott
• S Isaiah Simmons
• OLB DJ Wonnum

Carolina Panthers signings, re-signings, and extensions​

• Wide Receiver Jalen Coker, tendered as an Exclusive Rights Free Agent (which is definitely an oxymoron)
• Wide Receiver Brycen Tremayne received the same offer
• JJ Jansen is returning for a record 18th season, breaking the record of 17 seasons held by JJ Jansen.
• CB Akayleb Evans is returning.
• CB/Special teamer Robert Rochell is returning

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Carolina Panthers Free Agency Rumors​

• Panthers expected to sign former Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles edge defender Jaelan Phillips
• Sweet, sweet quarterback competition (not really) is on the horizon now that Kenny Pickett is in the fold.

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Former Panthers on the move​

• Cade Mays to the Detroit Lions

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Where does the Panthers 2026 cap space stand?​

The Panthers have $7.3M in cap space available per Spotrac and about $9M per Over The Cap. The difference of about $1.5M there isn’t significant. Carolina is going to need to make some moves this week with their larger contracts if they want to be at all active in free agency.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...rs-news-and-all-reported-signings-and-updates

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Ask Brian: Free Agency is underway!

Hello CSR! Welcome to Ask Brian, part one of your weekly Panthers fan mailbag for everyone! We’re in the fun part of the off-season, as teams sign new players via free agency and re-shape their future leading into the NFL Draft. The Panthers have had some fun news so far, adding EDGE Jaelan Phillips and inside linebacker Devin Lloyd during the legal tampering period of the offseason. They’ve also added QB Kenny Pickett as a backup option, and re-signed a couple of lower tier special teams players. I’d say it has been a fun period so far, as the defense looks to be in a much better state. Still, there’s a lot of work to be done as the news should continue to trickle in about signings, contract restructures, and other moves as the team shapes its 2026 identity. This is YOUR place to ask all your questions, whether they be Panthers related, football related, or even completely off topic! Sound off below in the comments, and I’ll have answers to your questions later on in the week.

KEEP POUNDING!

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/carolina-panthers-rumors/58439/ask-brian-free-agency-is-underway

 

[Carolina Panthers]

The Panthers have agreed to terms with LB Devin Lloyd

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) reacts to a fumble recovery next to cornerback Montaric Brown (30) during the second quarter of an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Bills defeated the Jaguars 27-24. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Panthers investment in their front seven on defense continues.

Late Monday Night, Adam Schefter reported the Panthers had closed the deal with someone they’d been heavily rumored to be interested in and negotiating with, arguably the best available inside linebacker in free agency.

Source: Former Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd reached agreement Monday night with the Carolina Panthers. pic.twitter.com/kz5glaRm3T

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2026

Just like with EDGE Jaelan Phillips earlier in the day, the deal was not cheap.

Sources to me and @RapSheet: The #Panthers have agreed to terms with LB Devin Lloyd on a three-year, $45 million deal with $25 million guaranteed Devin Lloyd. Deal done by his agents @AndreOdom and A.J. Stevens. pic.twitter.com/JLri1HHp83

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 10, 2026

Obviously, this is the legal tampering period, meaning these deals needs to be fully confirmed once the new league year starts (we learned that lesson last year with Milton Williams). But it appears Carolina once again attacked free agency in the effort to revamp one of their front lines, as Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd add high impact talent to their front seven. The Panthers were in desperate need of an inside linebacker, and probably could stand to add another during the off-season. After several inside linebackers came off the board, Lloyd ends up being a best case scenario for the Panthers. He should thrive in Ejiro Evero’s defense.

What are your thoughts on the addition, Panthers fans?

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...hers-have-agreed-to-terms-with-lb-devin-lloyd

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Panthers Reacts Survey: Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) reacts to a fumble recovery next to cornerback Montaric Brown (30) during the second quarter of an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Bills defeated the Jaguars 27-24. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Carolina Panthers have unofficially won their division with just hours to spare before the league year officially opens. It’s been awhile, but I think that’s what a free agency spending spree like this usually means, right? Regardless of just how guaranteed their victory is this fall, we still have a long offseason left to argue about the value of the deals that our new favorite Panthers are expected to sign this afternoon.

Jaelan Phillips, our new edge-rusher-with-an-injury-history, has reportedly agreed to a four-year, $120M deal. Devin Lloyd is expected to sign a three-year, $45 million deal. These are likely to be, by far, the two biggest signings of the Panthers offseason, so let go ahead and give them some grades.

How do you grade the signings of these two new Panthers?

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Panthers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...reacts-survey-jaelan-phillips-and-devin-lloyd