Panthers' Premier Free Agent Additions Shine in Preseason Loss

The Carolina Panthers took the field on Saturday for the second time this preseason.

The Panthers had a nice showing in the Hall of Fame Game, taking down the Arizona Cardinals. That game had plenty of big plays and impressive performances. Saturday's matchup against the Bills, however, was not as positive for the Panthers.

It was an ugly game for the Panthers' offense, and once again, the defense left a lot to be desired. However, one silver lining is that two of the team's most important players showed up.

Devin Lloyd and Jaelan Phillips Showed Out

Devin Lloyd and Jaelan Phillips were the two biggest free agent additions the Panthers made this offseason.

Lloyd was brought in on a three-year, $45 million deal, while Phillips landed a four-year, $120 million pact. With such big financial commitments, it's clear that the Panthers are going to rely on that duo heavily in 2026.

The two veterans got their first taste of preseason action, and they showed exactly what the team was hoping. Lloyd racked up three tackles and one tackle for loss, while Phillips had two tackles and one sack.

"Immediate impact- that's what the Panthers received from Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd in their preseason debuts on Saturday," ESPN's Mike Kaye said. "The Panthers are relying on Phillips and Lloyd quite a bit after paying them a collective boatload of money, and both of them got off to a really nice start."

Kaye also mentioned that Lloyd picked up one quarterback pressure in his limited snaps, while Phillips had two total pressures. Phillips' sack was especially huge because it killed the Bills' drive after they looked unstoppable.

It was also obvious when those two left the field. The Panthers' defense really struggled in the fourth quarter, and the unit clearly missed its leaders.

How Good Can Lloyd and Phillips Be?

Lloyd and Phillips are both being paid to be among the best players at their positions. Lloyd was definitely that in 2025, and Phillips has shown a capability of being that one day.

Phillips is one of the most important players on the team, especially after fellow edge rusher Nic Scourton went down for the season. The Panthers' entire pass rush might rely on Phillips, because the depth on the edges isn't great.

Lloyd will also play an enormous role. The linebacker will be a leader on and off the field, and his ability to help out as a pass rusher, run defender, and in coverage will be crucial.