The Carolina Panthers took a big step forward under Dave Canales in 2025.

Carolina won the NFC South and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

It was an important sign of progress for the Panthers under Canales, but Carolina’s quick exit from the playoffs shows there’s still a lot of work to be done to turn to franchise into a legitimate contender.

ESPN makes big offseason prediction for the Carolina Panthers

ESPN made some offseason predictions this week for each NFL team that’s been eliminated from the playoffs.

And they predict that Carolina will make a huge free agency splash by signing defensive end Trey Hendrickson.

“The Panthers will pay big money to Trey Hendrickson,” wrote Aaron Schatz. “The Panthers ranked 24th in pass rush win rate this season, and while they took two edge rushers high in the 2025 draft (Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen), they could use a steady veteran to lead the attack.”

Hendrickson, who turned 31 in December, only played in seven games with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2025 due to injury, but he was one of the best pass rushers in the league in 2023 and 2024.

The former Florida Atlantic standout totaled 35 sacks in 2023 an 2024 — impressive production while playing in the usually tough AFC North.

Hendrickson was hoping for a longterm deal with the Bengals before the 2025 season. He probably still has that same goal, but it could be tougher to find a longterm deal after he missed 10 games last season.

The four-time Pro Bowler is an impact player when healthy, but signing him to a big deal comes with some risk. If the Panthers can get him on a two year deal worth around $50 million, it’s a move that would make sense. Otherwise, Carolina would be wise to avoid offering the Florida native a longterm contract.

Carolina Panthers News

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