The Carolina Panthers were appropriately bold through the first week of free agency when it came to adding playmakers for the 2026 season.
They were also prudent in re-signing players for positional depth.
The next big question:
Is there anyone else they should re-sign?
As of Tuesday morning — after news dropped Saturday that safety Nick Scott was returning to Carolina on a one-year deal and Monday that punter Sam Martin was returning on a two-year deal — there are now seven players who played for the Panthers in 2025 still on the free agency market. Several spent a bulk of the year as starters; others made impacts in reserve roles.
Here’s a look at those seven free agents. The NFL Draft begins April 23.
Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum, center, celebrated his recovery of a fumble by LA Rams QB Matthew Stafford with his teammates during an action at Bank of America Stadiumon Nov. 30. Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown forced the fumble by applying pressure and chasing Stafford from the pocket. The Panthers defeated the Rams 31-28. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com OLB DJ Wonnum
Wonnum has had a strange two years in Charlotte, which included an extended recovery from an injury, then a splashy first few games in 2024 and then a relatively quiet 2025. Last year, he had one interception, one fumble recovery, 42 tackles and three sacks (career low). He did, however, start 16 of the 17 games he played in.
The Panthers have gotten busy at the pass-rushing spot since the negotiating period of free agency began. They made their splashiest move at pass rusher during the first wave of free agency when they acquired Jaelan Phillips on a four-year, $120 million deal. But that’s not all they did. They also re-signed Trevis Gipson to a one-year deal and retained Thomas Incoom. In 2026, they’ll also get to see Pat Jones II healthy on the second year of his contract, with second-year players Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen still ascending.
Prediction: Not re-signed.
C/G Austin Corbett
Corbett endured a lot in 2025. He won the starting center job out of training camp, then suffered a significant knee injury, then returned to the right guard spot, only to not start in the playoffs. The 30-year-old versatile interior offensive lineman signed a one-year deal ahead of 2025. The Panthers’ starting center last year, Cade Mays, left for Detroit, but the team also signed Luke Fortner, one of the top center free agents on the market.
Prediction: Not re-signed.
Panthers center Austin Corbett warms up before the game against the Bills the game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Oct. 26. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com T/G/C Brady Christensen
Christensen is coming off a promising year that was halted by a ruptured Achilles. When healthy, Christensen proved he’s a reliable player who can play essentially anywhere along the offensive line. It’s true the Panthers have some questions to answer along the OL, with the unexpected retirement of Yosh Nijman and the unclear timetable of Ickey Ekwonu’s return to action.
It’s also true that the Panthers have invested in the offensive line this free agency, particularly when they went out and signed OT Rasheed Walker on a one-year deal. It would make sense for the Panthers to keep at least one if not two of the three offensive linemen: Corbett, Christensen and Jake Curhan.
Prediction: Re-signed.
LB Christian Rozeboom
Rozeboom had some high highs in 2025. And considering the Panthers didn’t initially plan to have him start all year — effectively taking Josey Jewell’s job — he produced well above expectations. He had one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two sacks, 131 tackles in 16 games played (including the playoffs). That said, the Panthers made a massive play getting top free-agent ILB Devin Lloyd in free agency. Will Rozeboom be re-signed to play the reserve veteran role … like perhaps he was expected to last year?
Prediction: Not re-signed.
Carolina Panthers linebacker Christian Rozeboom, left, runs down the field with his teammates after intercepting a pass by Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield during action at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Jan. 3. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com LB Krys Barnes
Krys Barnes started last year on the practice squad and concluded it on the active 53-man roster. He didn’t play a ton — he played in seven games and started three — but his familiarity with the Panthers’ system and his leadership might compel the Panthers to sign him to a relatively cheap, short-term deal for depth at inside linebacker.
Prediction: Re-signed.
Cleveland Browns Luke Floriea runs with the ball as Carolina Panthers left back Krys Barnes tackles him during the preseason game between the Cleveland Browns and the Carolina Panthers in August 2025. Lila Turner lturner@charlotteobserver.com CB Damarri Mathis
The Panthers claimed Damarri Mathis off waivers ahead of the 2025 season. He then tore his ACL during his first week with the team and never appeared in a game after going on season-ending injured reserve. He’s still someone with familiarity with this team, and particularly Evero.
Prediction: Re-signed.
T/G Jake Curhan
Jake Curhan played a massive role in two of the Panthers’ best wins of 2025. He filled in mid-game in Green Bay and started in the Panthers’ home win over the Los Angeles Rams. He came off the Cardinals’ practice squad last year; a cheap one-year deal on a prove-it player might be a prudent move for the Panthers’ front office.
Prediction: Re-signed.
This story was originally published March 17, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
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Alex Zietlow writes about the Carolina Panthers and the ways in which sports intersect with life for The Charlotte Observer, where he has been a reporter since August 2022. Zietlow’s work has been honored by the Pro Football Writers Association, the N.C. and S.C. Press Associations, as well as the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) group. He’s earned six APSE Top 10 distinctions for his coverage on a variety of topics, from billion-dollar stadium renovations to the small moments of triumph that helped a Panthers kicker defy the steepest odds in sports. Zietlow previously wrote for The Herald in Rock Hill (S.C.) from 2019-22.
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