NEXT STEPS FOR 2026
The Panthers have a legacy of inside linebacker play that rivals any franchise in the NFL, highlighted by Hall of Famers Sam Mills and Luke Kuechly, with guys in between including Thomas Davis, Micheal Barrow, Jon Beason, Shaq Thompson, and current general manager Dan Morgan. So having that position well-stocked is part of the organizational ethos.
So that leaves all the doors open this offseason — free agency, the draft, or both.
It’s not as if the cupboard is bare, because Wallace has played good football when well. And they kept Martin-Scott on the roster all year, rather than risk losing the undrafted rookie by stashing him on the practice squad.
And if you want to talk about long-term development, they’re continuing the education of Mwansa. The 21-year-old Englishman spent the year on the practice squad as an international exemption, and they’re bringing him back this year (he’s still practice squad eligible on an exemption this year). He once ran a 4.45 40 at 230 pounds, and he’s got NFL-level athleticism.
But they need to add real competition for starting jobs, and that could happen in a lot of ways. The reality is, they’re deeper than they’ve been in some time (with some good special teamers on hand as well), and are likely to continue to add there as they continue to build the defense.