March 8, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
The foundation of the Carolina Panthers<\/a>‘ successful 2025 campaign was set around this time last year, with the unofficial start of free agency. Once the legal tampering period opened, general manager Dan Morgan and the front office went to work<\/a>\u2014reeling in a handful of signees who would later help the franchise to their first division title<\/a> in a decade.<\/p>\n So, are the reigning NFC South champions primed for another busy week<\/a>? And if so, what may go down in the coming days?<\/p>\n Here, as we answer the team’s most burning questions, are our predictions for their latest prowl into free agency . . .<\/p>\n Who goes?<\/p>\n Fortunately for the Panthers, their class<\/a> of soon-to-be free agents isn’t exactly brimming with top-end talent. But they may end up losing a few of their notable contributors from this past season.<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n Running back Rico Dowdle, who led the Panthers with 1,076 rushing yards in 2025, is seemingly on the outs. The 27-year-old is looking to solidify himself<\/a> as a lead back\u2014a role that’s unlikely to be available in Carolina with Chuba Hubbard, 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks and 2025 fourth-round pick Trevor Etienne all potentially vying for carries.<\/p>\n Starting center Cade Mays may also have a greater (or at least greener) opportunity elsewhere. The Panthers might end up being priced out<\/a> on Mays, who would be a solid Plan B for teams that miss out on the position’s top free agent in Tyler Linderbaum.<\/p>\n Outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum may not have a spot either. Pat Jones II, who has one year left on his deal, and 2025 draft picks Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen should receive more looks in 2026.<\/p>\n Prediction: Panthers do not sign Dowdle, Mays or Wonnum<\/p>\n Who stays?<\/p>\n Re-signing offensive lineman Yosh Nijman may have been a priority even before starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu went down with a ruptured patellar tendon<\/a>. With Ekwonu likely to miss some time during the upcoming campaign, the Panthers would be wise to retain the versatile and relatively reliable swing tackle.<\/p>\n Austin Corbett and Brady Christensen would be nice keeps for the line’s depth as well. With the former coming off an unimpressive 2025 and the latter an Achilles tear, both may be open to returning on team-friendly pacts.<\/p>\n As is the case with Corbett and Christensen, inside linebacker Christian Rozeboom would provide some known insurance to his position group. While an ideal offseason yields at least one new starter at this spot, the team’s leading tackler from 2025\u2014similarly to when he was brought in last spring\u2014could be re-signed with visions of a backup role.<\/p>\n Oh, and don’t worry about receivers Jalen Coker and Brycen Tremayne. The two young wideouts, who were just tendered contracts<\/a> as exclusive rights free agents, will likely be back on new one-year deals.<\/p>\n Prediction: Panthers sign Nijman, Corbett, Christensen, Rozeboom, Coker and Tremayne<\/p>\n Which pass rusher will the Panthers ink?<\/p>\n Although drastically improved from their historically horrendous 2024 campaign, the Panthers defense is desperate for some juice off the edge. Carolina finished<\/a> this past season with the league’s second-lowest pressure rate (16.5 percent) and the third-fewest sacks (30).<\/p>\n Adding a Trey Hendrickson, an Odafe Oweh or a Jaelen Phillips would be a statement. But the most sensible splash could be Boye Mafe, who should come slightly cheaper than that top tier.<\/p>\n Mafe, 27, fits the mold of the young, ascending pass rusher the Panthers have added through free agency in recent seasons\u2014like Wonnum in 2024 and Jones in 2025. Plus, his ties to Seattle\u2014where Morgan cut his teeth as an NFL executive for eight years\u2014will presumably appeal to Carolina.<\/p>\n Prediction: Panthers sign Mafe to a three-year, $50 million deal<\/p>\n Can the Panthers find a new starter at ILB?<\/p>\n The middle of Carolina’s defense has also left much to be desired. And for a franchise that has fielded the likes of Morgan, Sam Mills, Thomas Davis, Jon Beason and Luke Kuechly\u2014that’s pretty disappointing.<\/p>\n As he did with defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton last spring, executive vice president of football operations Brandt Tillis uses his Kansas City connections to bring in a fresh defender. This time, it’s inside linebacker Leo Chanel\u2014a promising 25-year-old ‘backer with playmaking ability and Super Bowl experience.<\/p>\n Prediction: Panthers sign Chanel to a three-year, $18 million deal<\/p>\n Will QB Bryce Young have a new backup?<\/p>\n Morgan, on multiple occasions, has expressed a desire to add competition<\/a> for backup quarterback Andy Dalton. Preferably, they land a young, athletic quarterback who can develop a bit behind Young.<\/p>\n Some possibilities include Trey Lance, Sam Howell, Kenny Pickett and perhaps even Anthony Richardson\u2014who would have to be (improbably<\/a>) acquired in a trade. But we’ll keep making connections, and link them to 26-year-old Zach Wilson.<\/p>\n Wilson spent the 2025 season under new Panthers associate head coach and offensive assistant Darrell Bevell. Bevell is fresh off serving as the passing game coordinator and quarterback coach for the Miami Dolphins, and should have a strong voice in strengthening the offense in Carolina.<\/p>\n Even though the jokes may fly about having the smallest quarterback room known to man, the Panthers make things interesting by inserting a former second overall pick.<\/p>\n Prediction: Panthers do not trade Dalton, sign Wilson to a one-year deal<\/p>\n