Dan Morgan makes an expected roster decision that can allow the Panthers to fill even more holes in free agency
The Carolina Panthers just cleared more cap space by releasing DL A’Shawn Robinson.
The Carolina Panthers were an active team on the first day of free agency after being the fifth-highest spending team in the league, with most of that money going toward the two splash signings in pass rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd.
No one expected general manager Dan Morgan to land both big-ticket free agents and the Panthers also brought in a new backup quarterback in Kenny Pickett. Needless to say, Carolina spent a ton of cap space on Monday and still have some significant holes to fill. Which is why the Panthers finally made an expected roster decision to create more room.
Carolina Panthers release veteran defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson
The team announced on Tuesday afternoon that veteran defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson has been released. Robinson signed a three year, $22.5 million contract with the Panthers in 2024. Releasing Robinson saves the team $10,500,000 in cap space with a $2,055,000 dead cap hit in 2026.
Robinson started 32 games for the Panthers over the last two seasons. In 2024, he co-lead the team with 5.5 sacks, a number that dropped to 2.5 in 2025 while playing over 100 less snaps on defense.
That’s because, last offseason, Morgan made two other veteran additions to the interior of the defensive line in Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III. The writing has been on the wall for Carolina to make this move and the timing is important, because the Panthers now added $10.5 million in space to work with.
Panthers still have four clear needs to address in free agency
After adding an new franchise pass rusher and linebacker, the Panthers still have some more needs to address. Four main ones come to mind at tight end, nickel, left tackle, and center to ideally address in free agency to keep options open for the draft.
Tight end might be the next big swing the Panthers make to give quarterback Bryce Young a reliable pass catcher in the middle of the field. Keep an eye on David Njoku and Chig Okonkwo being viable options for the Panthers to go hunting for.
Carolina has been sniffing around nickel options on the market as well in an effort to find a starting upgrade over Chau Smith-Wade. Adding a more physical enforcer in that spot alongside safety Tre’von Moehrig can give Carolina’s defense a more physical edge.
On the offensive line, the Panthers still need two starters up-front at left tackle and center for 2026. Ickey Ekwonu is currently recovering from a torn patellar tendon and won’t be available next season while Austin Corbett and Cade Mays both hit the market. Yosh Nijman is an option to be a stopgap at left tackle while Brady Christensen and Luke Fortner can be cheap options at center.
We’ll see what kind of moves Dan Morgan makes next with the new cap savings.
Carolina Panthers News
Dan Morgan plays the free agent market absolutely perfect and lands a second massive splash for the Panthers defense
The Carolina Panthers landed free agent linebacker Devin Lloyd.
