June 1, 2026, 6:35 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
As of 4 p.m. ET today, the NFL’s post-June 1 designations can officially take effect.<\/p>\n
In essence, this period allows teams to part ways with players to clear up a little extra salary cap space they wouldn’t have had access to prior. And based off Monday’s flurry of activity<\/a>, front offices across the league were eager to get going.<\/p>\n But what about the Carolina Panthers<\/a>? While the reigning NFC South champs seem unlikely<\/a> to jump in on the action, will there be a few newly-available options worth looking into?<\/p>\n Here are four potential post-June 1 cut or trade candidates the Panthers could target . . .<\/p>\n Last year’s quick emergence of first-round pick Colston Loveland may have the Bears looking to dump Kmet, who has two years remaining on his four-year, $50 million contract. A release or trade, per Over The Cap, would free up $2.35 million for Chicago.<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n Kmet has been linked to the Panthers<\/a> quite a bit over the past few months. He’d be the team’s most capable receiving threat at the tight end position from the jump.<\/p>\n Starting defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton’s sudden neck injury might’ve thrown a wrench into Carolina’s trench. While Wharton is expected back<\/a> at some point in 2026, the outlook of the void he’s left behind remains in question.<\/p>\n Armstead is entering the final season of his contract, and will turn 33 years old in November. His departure would create just over $14 million in space for the Jags.<\/p>\n Thibodeaux’s presence already felt redundant for the Giants, who just took Ohio State hybrid linebacker Arvell Reese with the fifth overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. A trade of Thibodeaux, the fifth overall pick back in 2022, would trigger a cool $14.7 million.<\/p>\n With free-agent signee Jaelan Phillips and 2025 second-rounder Nic Scourton on the roster, Thibodeaux probably wouldn’t start in Carolina either. But he’d likely get more opportunities there than he would in New York behind Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and (occasionally) Reese.<\/p>\n Miami might not be done with their liquidation. Brooks, by a cut or trade, could give the rebuilding Dolphins approximately $8.3 million more to work with.<\/p>\n The Panthers improved their long-struggling inside linebacker spot earlier this offseason, by signing<\/a> Pro Bowler Devin Lloyd to a three-year, $42 million deal. Pairing him with Brooks would give them one of the best starting duos in the game.<\/p>\n