Panthers’ expedited process with rookie draft pick makes much more sense after latest unfortunate news for veteran defender
The Carolina Panthers avoided all of the usual contract drama with second-round rookie Lee Hunter and the news that came after explains why the Panthers felt the need to move quick with the process.
Over the weekend, the Carolina Panthers agreed to terms on a rookie contract with second-round defensive tackle Lee Hunter, rounding out their entire rookie class.
Getting this deal done avoids any and all contract drama that teams have been dealing with regarding second-round selections over the last few years. For example, the Panthers didn’t agree to terms on a rookie deal with 2025 second-round pick Nic Scourton until July 19.
The process with Hunter was expedited a lot quicker by the team’s front office with Hunter securing a deal that included 94.4 percent of his rookie contract guaranteed, a sizeable increase considering the 49th overall pick in 2025 only got nearly 80 percent in guaranteed money.
Turns out, there’s a good reason why contract talks moved quickly this time around with Hunter.
Carolina Panthers veteran DT Tershawn Wharton out indefinitely, expected to play at some point in 2025
Not long after Hunter signed his rookie contract, it was reported that veteran defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton underwent a neck procedure recently that will force him out indefinitely on the PUP list throughout the remainder of the offseason. It was later reported that Wharton is expected to play at some point this season.
Wharton missed eight games for the Panthers during the 2025 season due to various injuries, one year into a three-year, $45.05 million deal. He still managed to start nine games for the Panthers last season totaling 36 tackles and 2.0 sacks.
Being without a veteran defensive tackle made it more urgent for the Panthers to get the contract done with Hunter to have ample bodies at the position heading into OTAs and eventually into training camp. And with Wharton expected to miss time early in the season, Hunter will be in line for more opportunities playing alongside Derrick Brown.
The same goes for veteran Bobby Brown III and second-year Cam Jackson. The Panthers were already down one player from the 2025 season at the position after releasing veteran A’Shawn Robinson earlier this offseason.
Teams are usually aware of this stuff ahead of time. Joe Person of The Athletic reported Wharton first made the team aware of his neck discomfort in April when the team’s offseason program began. A few weeks later, general manager Dan Morgan traded up in the second-round to ensure he landed Hunter.
It was a forward-thinking decision that is starting to make much more sense.