Panthers Free Agent Predictions: Dan Morgan makes good on his promise by landing some splash signings on defense
Here’s the Top-5 signings we could see the Carolina Panthers making during the first wave of free agency.
Free agency is hours away of kicking off, at least the start of the legal tampering period, and Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan has fans eagerly waiting for some splash additions this offseason.
Major positions expected to be addressed include linebacker, adding another impact edge rusher, finding a stopgap left tackle, and finding a new backup quarterback behind Bryce Young. With that being said, here are the Top-5 free agent signings we believe the Carolina Panthers could make during the first wave of free agency.
Predicting the Top-5 free agent signings for the Carolina Panthers
1. LB Devin Lloyd: four-year, $76 million contract
All signs point toward Devin Lloyd being the big-ticket signing for the Panthers this offseason. General manager Dan Morgan has been very vocal about improving the linebacker position in free agency and in the draft. Lloyd is the ideal fit for Ejiro Evero’s scheme with his athleticism. He can really do it all and the Panthers can cash in while he’s still in his prime. Another cheaper option worth considering is Tremaine Edmunds if the Panthers would rather spend big money on a pass rusher.
2. DE Bradley Chubb: two-year, $28 million contract
I would consider Bradley Chubb to be in the second-tier of free agent edge rushers. Players like Trey Hendrickson, Jaelan Phillips and Odafe Oweh in the top tier that will sign for $20-30 million per year. Getting Chubb at $14 million per year is great value and he’s a player that’s already produced in this system before when he played for Evero in Denver. Getting him for two years allows the Panthers to have an impact player off the edge while giving Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen an experienced veteran to learn behind.
3. C Luke Fortner: three-year, $18.5 million contract
The center market has gone absolutely bananas over the last few days after seeing the deals Tyler Biadasz, Connor McGovern, and Sean Rhyan received. And just wait until you see Tyler Linderbaum’s contract. Once Linderbaum’s off the market, teams still in need of a center will pay handsomely for Cade Mays, despite his limited experience. Instead of paying Mays around $10+ per year, I’d rather see the Panthers bring in Luke Fortner on a deal worth just over $6 million per year. He’s 27-years-old with plenty of starting experience and coming off a pretty solid season with the New Orleans Saints.
3. LT Yosh Nijman: one-year, $5 million contract
Re-signing Yosh Nijman seems inevitable after Ickey Ekwonu’s patellar tendon injury he suffered in the playoffs to give the offense a starting-caliber left tackle at a decent price. Nijman gets a proper pay bump from his two-year, $8 million deal that reflects the role the team would have for him in 2026 as the blindside protector. There’s not many other low-cost left tackle options out there.
4. QB Zach Wilson: one-year, $2 million contract
Multiple names have been mentioned as a backup option that fits what Dan Morgan wants to add to the room such as Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Kenny Pickett or veteran arms like Geno Smith or Tyrod Taylor. The best value would be getting Wilson or Lance given how young they were as prospects. Wilson is still the player I’d be interested in bringing in to develop behind Young. He’s athletic, got a big arm, and should have a really fair price after how his last contract went in Miami.
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