Panthers Move to Retain WRs Jalen Coker and Brycen Tremayne

Coker, an undrafted receiver from Holy Cross, emerged as one of Carolina’s most productive offensive pieces down the stretch. After missing the first six games of the 2025 season with a quad injury, he returned to play 11 games and finished with 33 receptions for 394 yards and three touchdowns. His role expanded significantly during the final stretch of the season as the Panthers closed in on the division title.

Coker also delivered one of his best performances in Carolina’s wild-card playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams. In that 34-31 loss, he caught nine passes for 134 yards and a touchdown, highlighting his growing chemistry within the offense.

Across two NFL seasons, Coker has totaled 65 catches for 872 yards and five touchdowns. However, injuries have limited him to 22 games in that span. That injury history could factor into negotiations, as Coker may seek long-term security while the Panthers could prefer another full season of production before committing to a larger deal.

Tremayne represents a different type of contributor, but one that Carolina values. The Stanford product earned a roster spot with a strong training camp and preseason despite missing much of the offseason program. He went on to appear in 16 games during the 2025 season.

Primarily a special teams contributor, Tremayne recorded 15 tackles in punt and kickoff coverage, ranking among the team’s most reliable coverage players. He also provided depth on offense, catching 14 passes for 160 yards.

Exclusive-rights tenders typically come with one-year deals at or near the league minimum. Players can either accept the tender or continue negotiating a longer-term contract with their team. If Coker or Tremayne signs the tender, each would become a restricted free agent in 2027.

For Carolina, the decision signals stability. With McMillan leading the receiver room and young contributors like Coker and Tremayne returning, the Panthers appear focused on building around a developing core as they prepare for the next stage of their roster construction.