Carolina Panthers defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson had a solid 2025 campaign, albeit posting fewer tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks than a season ago. He recorded 68 tackles, three TFLs, eight quarterback hits, and 2.5 sacks across 18 games and 17 starts. Robinson also had 31 pressures, 22 hurries, a 7.8% pass-rush win rate, along with 33 run stops and a 10.4% stop rate, ranking fifth and ninth in those categories among qualified interior defensive linemen against the run.
Carolina Panthers’ run stopper is on the chopping block
Carolina Panthers, A'Shawn Robinson
Oct 26, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end A’Shawn Robinson (94) before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Given his age (he turns 31 in March), being headed toward the decline, multiple interior defensive linemen on the team making more than $7+ million annually, the Panthers potentially looking to bolster the position in the offseason, and his hefty cap hit, A’Shawn Robinson is widely viewed as a cap casualty. He is in the final year of his contract and is scheduled to earn a $7.63 million base salary, a per-game bonus totaling $765,000, a $100,000 workout bonus, $2 million in LTBE incentives, $8.5 million in cash, and a $12.55 million cap hit in 2026, per Over The Cap. With a standard release, the team frees $10.5 million in cap space while absorbing a $2.05 million dead cap charge.
The Panthers give the Super Bowl champion permission to seek trade
Carolina Panthers, Dan Morgan
Sep 29, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
According to Joe Person of The Athletic, the Panthers have given A’Shawn Robinson permission to seek a trade, seeking draft compensation rather than cutting him outright. A trading team would inherit his base salary, per-game bonus, workout bonus, and the LTBE incentives, essentially a one-year, $10.5 million contract. If a trade cannot be reached, Robinson is expected to be released.
As they did with Andy Dalton, the Panthers have given the agent for DL A’Shawn Robinson permission to seek a trade.
This was expected. Mentioned last week Robinson was a likely cap casualty/trade candidate.https://t.co/4NJEhwv6Hj
— Joe Person (@josephperson) February 27, 2026
Also Read: REPORT: Panthers Set to Sign An Elite Run Stopper in Free Agency