In what was perhaps the least surprising (and to some, the most exasperating) development of the 2025 offseason, 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers finally agreed to join the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday. The four-time Most Valuable Player, after months of “uncertainty,” is now headed to the AFC North for the upcoming campaign—giving Pittsburgh the starting quarterback they’ve long needed to secure.

So if the Steelers were able to fill a glaring need this late into the spring, can other teams also find themselves some effective remedies at this point? And can the Carolina Panthers, in particular, add the cherry on top of what’s been a successful past few months?

Well, they just might.

Here are four remaining free agents the Panthers should consider signing before the start of next week’s mandatory minicamp:

CB Mike Hilton

Last month’s release of outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, the team’s leading sack-getter in 2024, was a strong indicator that the Panthers are invested in their youth movement. In essence, they moved out the 32-year-old to move in the likes of 26-year-old Pat Jones II and their pair of Day 2 draft picks, Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen.

They may have the same train of thought at nickelback—where 2024 fifth-rounder Chau Smith-Wade, and perhaps even 2025 fourth-rounder Lathan Ransom, will get the opportunity to seize the position. But if they want a more proven presence on the inside, Hilton is as reliable as they come from the slot.

CB Asante Samuel Jr.

Carolina’s prospects at outside cornerback aren’t exactly great either. The unit isn’t deep behind Pro Bowler Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, with Shemar Bartholomew and Akayleb Evans currently penciled in as the next line of defense.

Samuel, 25, started in 47 of his 50 career games for the Los Angeles Chargers between 2021 and 2024. His playmaking ability, which has helped produce six interceptions and 37 passes defensed, could even give Jackson some competition as Horn’s running mate.

S Julian Blackmon

Many Panthers fans have been waiting on their team to sign Blackmon for quite some time now. They got a little teaser back in March, when he was brought in for a visit, and haven’t really heard anything on the 26-year-old since.

While Tre’von Moehrig does have the chops to play both strong and free safety, Carolina may benefit from having a bonafide playmaker to pair with their big free-agent signing. Blackmon, who notched seven interceptions over the last two seasons, could (and maybe should) be that guy.

S Justin Simmons

Like Blackmon, Simmons presents a solid solution to the backend of the Panthers defense. Outside of Moehrig, Carolina’s safety room consists of Ransom, Demani Richardson, Nick Scott and three undrafted rookies—so mixing in an established veteran would probably be a wise move.

Simmons, a four-time second-team All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler, even spent a season with Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero back in Denver.

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