Panthers’ high-priced defender just ended up on a list no one wants to be on, but a decision might have to wait
Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Bobby Brown III is entering into the second year of a three-year contract he signed with the team last offseason and could have his role further diminished in 2026.
Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan learned some tough lessons last offseason and has already made major improvements toward rectifying some of those mistakes.
The most glaring miss from the 2025 offseason was missing out on adding standout interior defensive lineman Milton Williams, who left the Panthers at the altar to instead join the New England Patriots. After missing out on him, Morgan used that money to add Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III to the interior of the defensive front.
Wharton proved to be a solid starter alongside Derrick Brown that eventually pushed A’Shawn Robinson off the roster. Bobby Brown III had a decent role as well starting five games and playing 351 defensive snaps. However, the writing is on the wall for Bobby Brown III’s future after the team traded up to draft Lee Hunter in the second-round.
ESPN lists Carolina Panthers DT Bobby Brown III on the hot seat after the Lee Hunter selection
Hunter is a mammoth of a defensive tackle that plays with the kind of violence the Panthers are excited to add between Derrick Brown and Wharton. Trading up to select him proved the Panthers weren’t exactly confident in what Bobby Brown III showed last season. With Hunter in the fold, his role is set to diminish in 2026.
Which is why ESPN’s Ben Solak listed Bobby Brown III on the hot seat heading into his second season with the team.
“Hunter, Derrick Brown and Tershawn Wharton will almost certainly be the primary rotation of defensive tackles this season, with Brown once again struggling to see more than 40% of the snaps in a given game.”
Ben Solak
ESPN
The Panthers are set to pay Bobby Brown III a $5,550,000 base salary in 2026 with $2,775,000 in guarantees. After the 2026 season, his cap hit balloons up to $9,833,334 with no more guaranteed money. That’s always a bad sign, especially after the team drafted a replacement option at the position.
Moving on from him before the 2026 season isn’t going to be an option, unless a team decides to trade for him which would save the Panthers $6.2 million in cap space. Eventually, though, the Panthers are going to have to move on from that contract.
In order to part ways with Bobby Brown III, the Panthers would first have to be absolutely positive Hunter is ready to take on a full-time starting role. Carolina would also need reinforced confidence in 2025 fifth-round pick Cam Jackson being a top backup.
It’ll be something to watch during OTAs and into training camp. In all likelihood, the Panthers hold onto Bobby Brown III and get the most out of him in 2026 before parting ways next offseason. However, all it takes is one interested team to facilitate a trade, so the Panthers better have the two young DTs ready to step up if a team calls.