With the NFL offseason almost wrapped up and training camp coming to a close soon, it’s a good time to take a look at each NFL team’s offseason recap as we get just a few weeks away from the start of the regular season. Let’s take a look at the Carolina Panthers’ new team and analyze the team’s incoming and outgoing players as they shape up for the 2026 season.
The Panthers are entering the 2026 season coming off of their first playoff appearance in nearly a decade after winning the NFC South in 2025. The Panthers are finally starting to look the part of a true contender as former 2023 first overall pick Bryce Young had a breakout season last year and is coming into this year with a slightly improved roster as the Panthers made a conscious effort to improve their team around him.
The Panthers’ biggest offseason addition was signing defensive end Jaelan Phillips to a four-year, $120 million deal. Phillips, 27, is coming off of a 2025 season where he split time between the Dolphins, where he spent the first four seasons of his career, and the Eagles. Phillips totaled five sacks, 53 total tackles and one forced fumble last season, and will strengthen a young pass-rushing unit with players such as Derrick Brown, Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen. His experience will be a big add for Carolina as their defensive line is mainly filled with young talent, especially with Nic Scourton opening the season on the IR.
The Panthers made another big signing on defense, bringing in linebacker Devin Lloyd on a three-year, $45 million deal. Lloyd was one of the top linebackers available in free agency and he’ll immediately come in to lead their linebacker group. Lloyd was a tackle machine with the Jaguars, totaling 100+ tackles in three of his four seasons with Jacksonville. The Panthers also made a late-season signing in Bobby Okereke, who had 143 total tackles with the Giants last year, to round out their linebacker group and to pair alongside Lloyd.
Carolina also made a pair of signings to strengthen their offensive line by adding OT Rasheed Walker and center Luke Fortner. Walker spent the last three seasons as the starting left tackle for the Packers and signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Panthers. Fortner signed a one-year deal worth up to $4.75 million and is a four-year league veteran who has played in all 17 games in each of his four seasons. While neither are flashy signings, both linemen are solid options and help solidify the offensive line while helping protect quarterback Bryce Young.
The Panthers didn’t lose a ton of free agents over the offseason but did lose a few notable veterans. The first of their losses and arguably their biggest of the offseason was losing running back Rico Dowdle to the Steelers. Dowdle is coming off of his second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season and made for an electric duo with Chuba Hubbard last season. Dowdle will be a big loss in the backfield and Hubbard, Jonathon Brooks and new signing A.J. Dillon will have to make up for his production.
Carolina also lost pass rusher D.J. Wonnum and offensive lineman Austin Corbett in the offseason as well. Wonnum signed a one-year deal with the Lions after spending the past two seasons in Carolina where he tallied seven sacks in 24 games with the team. His loss will be replaced by the signing of Jaelan Phillips. Corbett is an eight-year league veteran who spent the past four seasons in Carolina and signed with Buffalo in free agency.
Carolina had seven selections in the NFL Draft and used their first two selections to shore up the trenches up front. Their first-round pick was used on offensive tackle Monroe Freeling out of Georgia with the 19th overall pick. With both starting tackles in Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton injured to start the year, Freeling is a crucial addition and could find himself starting at either tackle position to open the season.
The Panthers also traded up in the second round to select defensive tackle Lee Hunter with the 49th overall pick. Hunter was a third-team All-American and first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2025 and figures to complement DT Derrick Brown in the future.
Other notable selections for the Panthers include wide receiver Chris Brazzell II, cornerback Will Lee III, center Sam Hecht and safety Zakee Wheatley.
Overall, the Panthers had a solid free agency period and have aligned themselves in a strong position to succeed within the NFC South. There weren’t any sweeping moves on either side of the ball, but in total, I think the Panthers were able to bring in more than they lost. The Panthers made two strong signings in Phillips and Lloyd, and their defense looks deep at all three levels.
After a breakout season for Bryce Young where he threw for 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, all eyes will be on him and standout second-year wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan as they enter their second year in the league as a duo. If both Young and McMillan can take their games to the next level in 2026, the Panthers should have their eyes set on another playoff berth and could be in for a great season.
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