As a Panthers fan, this one is tough to write. Rico Dowdle was a huge part of what worked for the Carolina Panthers in 2025. When he finally got consistent touches, he delivered 1,076 rushing yards, six touchdowns, and over 1,300 scrimmage yards.
The Carolina Panthers are going to sign a few free agents. We can't expect a ton of additions given the roster situation and the current salary cap constraints.
It all begins next week. From the start of the “legal tampering period” on March 9, to the official start of the 2026 NFL fiscal year at 4:00 pm ET on March 11.
Next week, the Carolina Panthers enter free agency with a few needs. Tops on the list is a consistent edge rusher for a team that has totaled the fewest sacks in the league (89) dating back to 2023.
At this point, the general feeling is that the Carolina Panthers aren't getting Cade Mays back. He's likely going to be too in-demand and too costly for a team with so many holes and so little cap space currently.
Most of the NFL mock drafts focus on the early rounds, but there are still many prominent college players who will hear their names called later. These are just some of the big names that could hear their names in the later rounds.
The Carolina Panthers have made quite a few free agent signings over the years, although most of them aren't the most high-profile. Still, they've had some good additions in the last decade.
When the Carolina Panthers enter free agency, one of the very first things that GM Dan Morgan will occupy his time with is pursuing multiple options to improve the defense's pass rush.
It's becoming increasingly likely that the Carolina Panthers will lose veteran running back Rico Dowdle in free agency. The Panthers are letting him test the market, and he wants to be "the guy" somewhere, and after what he did this past season, he deserves that opportunity.
The Carolina Panthers’ late-season surge in 2025 revealed a young group beginning to find its rhythm. As the franchise pushes to build on an NFC South title and a playoff appearance, the front office made an early move to preserve continuity in the receiving corps.
The Carolina Panthers have several needs to fill in free agency. They also have some of their own players leaving, a couple of whom are vital re-signs.
Rico Dowdle’s breakout season was one of the biggest reasons the Carolina Panthers were able to win the division, but then it wasn’t. The production fell
NFL prospects from major programs get most of the attention, but there are numerous examples of players drafted from small schools who have become difference-makers.
While they're not exactly flush with cash, the Carolina Panthers are probably going to (after freeing up cap space) do a little bit of spending in free agency.
On March 9, the Carolina Panthers can start legally tampering with NFL free agents, which means they can essentially get them to agree to a deal before being able to officially sign.
I took control of the Carolina Panthers in GM Mode and focused on creating cap flexibility while strengthening the roster through targeted signings and a balanced draft class.
The Carolina Panthers finally made a decision on Jalen Coker. The exclusive rights free agent was an easy one to retain. All the Panthers needed to do was tender an offer, and, to invoke The Godfather, he literally cannot refuse it.
The Carolina Panthers have an important offseason ahead of them this spring as they look to build on last year’s surprise trip to the NFL playoffs. Although
The Carolina Panthers announced they have tendered WRs Jalen Coker and Brycen Tremayne as exclusive rights free agents. Exclusive rights deals are for players with less than three years of accrued service and are for the minimum.
While the Carolina Panthers seem to be comfortable with Bryce Young, they need to build around him and the defense in the draft. And here is the Panthers’ seven-round 2026 NFL Draft, according to the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator after the NFL Combine.
The Carolina Panthers are expected to have an active offseason after taking a big step forward in 2025. Carolina won the NFC South and made the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade.
Despite getting the Carolina Panthers to the postseason for the first time in eight years, head coach Dave Canales will have no trouble showing his team there is plenty of room for improvement.
The Carolina Panthers are no longer irrelevant. An 8–9 finish, a playoff berth, and a competitive postseason showing against the Los Angeles Rams showed legitimate progress.
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, the Panthers could sign WR Jalen Coker to a contract extension this offseason. Coker is scheduled to be an exclusive rights restricted free agent this offseason, as he signed a two-year deal with Carolina when getting promoted from the practice squad in 2024.
The Carolina Panthers have an asset in quarterback Andy Dalton, who could emerge as a solid trade candidate for a team needing a backup. However, according to Panthers general manager Dan Morgan, any potential move would ultimately depend on Dalton’s interest in the situation.
Bryce Young is still viewed as the Carolina Panthers’ QB1, but there’s uncertainty behind him on the depth chart. Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton has a year left on his contract with Carolina, but he can expect some competition in the offseason for the chief backup role under center.