Free-agency moves signal change in Panthers narrative 

CAROLINA PANTHERS

The Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan's (left) ability to sign high-end free agents like outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips (center) is changing perceptions of the franchise's focus of winning.

Streaming a message during a 2024 broadcast, ESPN presenter Pat McAfee informed Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper: “Your team sucks.” 

It was accurate at the time. 

The Panthers were 1-6 and coming off a 40-7 rout by the Washington Commanders, who were led by backup quarterback Marcus Mariota. Carolina’s QB of the future, Bryce Young, was on the bench for a fifth and, what proved to be final game. The defense went on to yield an NFL all-time worst 534 points during the 5-12 campaign.  

The previous season, the Panthers went 2-15 as Young, the No. 1 overall draft pick, struggled as a rookie, absorbing a franchise record-tying 62 sacks. Ending with an interim coach for a second straight season, Carolina hit bottom. The Panthers were dysfunctional, and the fan base grew apathetic.  

Among the lowlights were coach Frank Reich getting fired after 11 games and a video of Tepper tossing water at a Jacksonville Jaguars fan following a 26-0 loss on New Year’s Eve, resulting in a league-imposed $300,000 fine. 

The Panthers went out with a whimper, failing to score during their final two games, a franchise first. On top of all that, the first-overall draft pick belonged to the Chicago Bears as part of the Young trade. 
From the outside, the situation appeared dire. 

Regime-altering culture 

Enter another new regime – and culture – commanded by general manager Dan Morgan and first-time coach Dave Canales. Morgan initially struggled to convince top free-agent targets to relocate to Charlotte and join a franchise consistently ranked near the bottom of the annual players’ poll. 

Morgan proved this month the Panthers’ narrative is evolving by signing three of the top free agents on the market. Opening with a power move March 9, outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips signed early in the legal tampering period, sending a message throughout the league. Next came a three-year, $45 million deal for inside linebacker Devin Lloyd, adding a playmaking presence to the center of the 3-4 base defense.

Four days later, Rasheed Walker, the top-rated tackle, inked a one-year, $10 million deal to fortify the offensive line. Walker fills a short-term role as starter Ikem Ekwonu recovers from a ruptured patellar tendon in his knee. 

Unlike the 2024 free-agent period, Morgan noticed his sales pitch carried new promise.  

“We felt like players wanted to be here, as opposed to when I first took over,” Morgan said during Friday’s teleconference. “It was a little harder. You feel that shift that guys really wanted to be here.” 

Delving deeper into the free-agent market, Morgan built up the roster’s depth, adding, among others, a potential starting center (Luke Fortner) and backups in quarterback Kenny Pickett, running back A.J. Dillon and receiver John Metchie III, Young’s prime target during his 2021 Heisman Trophy-winning season at Alabama. 

“We’re just trying to build that family atmosphere around here,” Morgan said. “As we’re trying to attract players from the outside, they know when they come into this building, they have full support. 

“Coach has done a really good job in terms of the culture.” 

Devin Lloyd: ‘Time to take that next step’ 

Born in 1995, the Panthers have endured tough times in the past:  

* 2001, they lost 15 straight games, finishing 1-15. 

* 2010, they started 1-5 and finished 2-14. 

* From 2018-23, they went 31-70 since Tepper became owner, the league’s worst record during that span. 

Players talk. 

It’s little wonder why Morgan initially struggled to attract top free agents. 

But Lloyd, who possesses All-Pro ability to rush the quarterback, cover receivers in the flat and remain stout on running plays, didn’t pay much attention to the past decade. When the Jaguars decided not to offer him the fifth season on his rookie contract, the former first-round draft pick entered free agency without prejudice. 

“(Rumors) can be different, depending on who you ask,” Lloyd said. “That all depends on who you ask, who you talk to. It’s something I never focused on until I was in free agency. Obviously, you look around and see who’s doing what.” 

Despite the chatter, Lloyd recognized a prime opportunity with the Panthers (8-9), who won the NFC South title last season.  

“Looking at the Panthers last year, from the outside in, (they were) a talented team that had a lot of really good pieces all over the place, an ascending team,” he said. “Now it’s time to take that next step.” 

The succeeding move could come if the Panthers post their first winning season since 2017 and focus on refining certain internal factors.

The 2025 NFLPA poll, conducted among 1,695 players, ranked the Panthers 25th among 32 franchises. While Canales earned an A-minus, the overall grade was dragged down by a D for team travel and D-minus for ownership.   

 
Phillips, who signed a four-year, $120 million deal, overlooked those concerns. He sees a “contender, a team that is up and coming. 

“What they were able to accomplish last year was real impressive,” Phillips said. “Dan did an awesome job with who he signed. I’m excited to come in an contribute.” 
That certainly doesn’t suck.

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