RSS Panthers Team Notes

[Carolina Panthers]

Panthers reportedly agree to deals with two offensive linemen

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 14: Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle Stone Forsythe #70 gets set during the game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Philadelphia Eagles on December 14th, 2025 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Dan Morgan has been busy at the start of free agency. He already shelled out big money to Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd to shore up the team’s biggest weaknesses. Now, the offense gets some love as they look to replenish the group after the departure of Cade Mays.

First, the Carolina Panthers came to terms with former Seahawks and Raiders offensive tackle and great name haver Stone Forsythe.

Free agent OT Stone Forsythe plans to sign with the Carolina Panthers, per sources. Five-year vet was drafted by Seattle and last with Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/AMELKpRH4z

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 10, 2026

Forsythe isn’t exactly a game changer on the offensive line, but he’s a body. The Panthers are going to need more depth with Ikem Ekwonu out indefinitely as he rehabs from a torn patellar tendon. As it stands right now, Yosh Nijman seems like the most likely bet to replace Ekwonu at the start of the season. Forsythe slots in behind he Taylor Moton.

Shortly after that, it was reported that the Panthers had agreed to a deal with former Jaguars and Saints center Luke Fortner.

Veteran center Luke Fortner is signing with the Panthers on a one-year deal worth up to $4.75 million, per source. Deal negotiated by Octagon Football. pic.twitter.com/bniFoppvF0

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 10, 2026

Fortner struggled pretty badly during his time with the Jaguars, but he was much improved as a starter for the Saints after filling in for the injured Erik McCoy. It’s reportedly a low cost deal for just one year, so it doesn’t seem like the Panthers have any illusion of him being a long term answer at the position. They needed bodies there after Cade Mays departed for the Lions on a pretty lucrative contract by center standards.

Neither of these moves are big needle movers, but offensive line depth is always important. The Panthers at least have some veteran bodies to fill the positions while they try to lock down some longer term cornerstones in those spots.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...dly-agree-to-deals-with-two-offensive-linemen

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Free Agency winners and losers: Or why the rest of the NFC South should feel bad

Nov 16, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips (50) reacts after sacking Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the first half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

The Carolina Panthers kicked off (the legal tampering period that precedes) NFL free agency by filling all of their immediate needs. That sets them up nicely to take the best players available in every round of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft regardless of position.

The rest of the division, meanwhile, mostly just lost or shuffled talent. Let’s take a look at the Winners and Losers in the NFC South:

Winner​

The Carolina Panthers​

General Manager Dan Morgan attacked free agency aggressively. On the first day, he agreed to terms with the third and fourth best free agents on the market, per SB Nation, in Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd. Phillips was rated as the best edge on the market and Lloyd as the best off ball linebacker, which is to say they were the best players at the Panthers two biggest positions of need. That’s a home run in roster building.

That triumph was followed up on the second day with a slew of re-signings and small veteran contracts at positions of need to shore up the depth of the roster as the team approaches the draft.

All that remains is to tidy up the cap situation before tomorrow and the Panthers can easily* say they are the most improved team in their division. That’s a nifty distinction given they also won their division last season.

You can check out their odds to repeat that feat here.

Losers (Alphabetical by mascot)​

Tampa Bay Buccaneers​

No team that loses a healthy, if aging, Mike Evans can be said to have improved in free agency. Honestly, the best thing that can be said for the Bucs free agency period is that they are currently in line for a decent compensatory draft pick in 2027 thanks to the fat contract Evans signed with the San Francisco 49ers.

Atlanta Falcons​

They signed Tua Tagavailoa to do what exactly? Compete with Michael Penix, Jr? Start over him? Back him up? Corner the left handed quarterback market? Instead of helping out their young quarterback by bolstering the roster with more than a pair of number three receivers, this was their best shot out of the gate.

Good luck, y’all.

New Orleans Saints​

Travis Etienne and Noah Fant headline the second best free agency class in the NFC South. Reliable weapons for Tyler Shough is smart, but losing his starting center to the Carolina Panthers was not. Hi, Luke Fortner, welcome to the Carolinas.

*the Panthers can say anything they want right now, but we’re all going to hold our collective breathe until these signings are actually official, the ink has dried, and these guys have had at least three children while living in Charlotte.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...why-the-rest-of-the-nfc-south-should-feel-bad

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Panthers signing QB Kenny Pickett to 1-year deal

Jan 4, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (15) throws the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Panthers are adding to their quarterback room behind starter Bryce Young.

Per reports, Carolina is inking former Eagles, Raiders, and Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett to a one-year deal worth up to $7.5 million with $4 million in guaranteed money. He has mainly been a backup the past two seasons after two seasons as a starter to begin his career with Pittsburgh.

QB Kenny Pickett and the Carolina Panthers have agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $7.5M with $4M in guarantees, per Adam Schefter. pic.twitter.com/q74bgmzYwP

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 9, 2026

With the Raiders in 2025, Pickett started two games and threw for just 188 yards and one touchdown to two interceptions. Despite the struggles since leaving Pittsburgh, he still have a 16-11 record as a starter, 14 of those wins coming with the Steelers.

This move should be seen as nothing more than getting a mid-tier backup in the room in case an injury finds Young on the field. Other teams signed backup quarterbacks on Monday and it’s nothing more than a low-cost move to fill out the empty spots on your roster.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...thers-signing-qb-kenny-pickett-to-1-year-deal