Will the Panthers create NFL free agent March Madness?

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Josh Sweat could be a free agent of interest for the Carolina Panthers when the contract negotiation period opens on March 10.

 
Dan Morgan is out to create his version of March Madness.

With the NFL Scouting Combine finished, April’s draft on the horizon and free-agency kicking off Monday, the Carolina Panthers general manager said he’s prepared to juggle his responsibilities in reshaping the offseason roster.

“It all runs together, free agency and the draft,” Morgan told Panthers.com. “What we do in free agency will impact what we do in the draft.”

The free agency period opens with two days of legal tampering, a window during which team executives can negotiate potential opportunities with agents and players. New deals can be formally announced on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

Entering the second year of the Morgan-Dave Canales era, Carolina’s near-decade rebuild continues. Absent from the playoffs since the 2016 campaign, the Panthers will allow 19 players to enter unrestricted free agency. Eleven were on one-year deals last season.

Following a week of scouting and interviewing at the combine in Indianapolis, Morgan said drafting the highest-rated defensive lineman “will be a point of emphasis for us.” With the No. 8 overall selection, the Panthers likely will seek to improve a historically poor defense by targeting interior linemen like Michigan’s Mason Graham and outside rushers like Texas’ James Pearce Jr., Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart or Georgia’s Mykel Williams.

Morgan wants to ‘supplement’ roster

Entering free agency, Morgan intends to build out a team that finished 5-12 last season. He wants to free his hand for the first round of the draft, where the Panthers possess nine draft picks, including eight in the first five rounds.

“In free agency, you really want to supplement (the roster),” he said. “You want to add some depth. You want to add some players. That way you’re not forced to fulfill a need in the draft.  
“We just have to keep staying disciplined.”

That means adding playmakers to the defense, which proved historically inept by surrendering 534 points, the most in league history. Carolina allowed opposing offenses to amass three 40-point and 10 30-point games. The defense also yielded the third-most rushing yardage (3,057) ever. Opponents ran for at least 200 yards in each of the final six outings.

“We have a lot of holes to fill,” Morgan said. “We have to be strategic about where we attack.”       

Safety and receiver appear to be prime positions the Panthers will explore, along with adding a backup running back and cornerback, multiple defensive linemen and outside linebackers.
According to multiple reports, the Panthers have been linked to several defensive linemen, including an aging and injury-prone Joey Bosa, Milton Williams, Chase Young, Josh Sweat and Osa Odighizuwa. At safety, Camryn Bynum and Jevon Holland could be considered upgrades to free-agents-to-be Jordan Fuller and Xavier Woods.   

At receiver, the Panthers didn’t have a chance to bid on top target Tee Higgins, who was earned the Cincinnati Bengals’ franchise tag for a second straight season. They could, however, look to one of Canales’ old proteges, former Seattle Seahawk Tyler Lockett, an 11-year pro who was coached Canales when he broke into the league. 

“We’re going to leave all of our options on the table,” Morgan said.

Morgan faces internal offseason decisions 

Despite the postseason drought, Morgan and Canales intend to maintain their rebuilding plan, evidenced by only 21 players signed through 2026.

Morgan’s top internal offseason chore likely will be signing Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn to a long-term contract extension, pairing him with a defensive lineman Derrick Brown (knee) as long-term defensive cornerstones. The Panthers may not have a better financial alternative to Horn. Young stars like Derek Stingley Jr. and Sauce Gardner may soon re-establish the cornerback market, and replacing Horn could prove more expensive. 

Cornerback Mike Jackson is viewed as a keeper among the Panthers entering free agency. Starting opposite Horn, Jackson registered 17 pass breakups.  

Offensive lineman Austin Corbett, punter Johnny Hekker and tight end Tommy Tremble could also return if they fail to secure better deals elsewhere. 

Last offseason, the Panthers invested approximately $150 million in guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis and those moves appeared to help quarterback Bryce Young’s confidence. Young, the 2023 first overall draft pick, rebounded from a poor rookie campaign and a Week 3 benching in 2024 to emerge with bona fide potential.  

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