March 1, 2026, 12:35 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
The Carolina Panthers<\/a> could be looking to make more splashes this spring.<\/p>\n According to ESPN senior reporter Jeremy Fowler, the Panthers may be angling for a few notable additions to their defense this offseason. Fowler, who offered up<\/a> a wealth of intel from the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday morning, wrote the following of Carolina’s potential plans:<\/p>\n Don’t be surprised if Carolina makes some big moves on defense for the second consecutive year. The Panthers will be looking at edge-rush help and might be open to offering a lucrative contract. They need linebacker and slot corner help, too.\u00a0Devin Lloyd\u00a0would be an ideal fit in the middle of the defense.<\/p>\n They nearly handed out the most lucrative contract during last year’s free agency period, for former Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> defensive lineman Milton Williams. But Williams, who was reportedly nearing a deal<\/a> with the Panthers, ultimately decided to swerve to the New England Patriots on a four-year, $104 million pact on the first day of the legal tampering period.<\/p>\n Carolina, however, would pivot\u2014quickly coming to agreements with safety Tre’von Moehrig, defensive linemen Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III and outside linebacker Pat Jones II shortly after.<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n If Lloyd is a possible target, as Fowler notes, then the Panthers may have to open up the books<\/a> a bit. Per Spotrac, the 2025 second-team All-Pro linebacker is projected to reel in an annual value of just over $20 million.<\/p>\n