Jalen Coker
Getty
Jalen Coker signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024.
The Carolina Panthers surpassed expectations in 2026. While they backed their way into the NFC South title with a loss in the last regular-season game, their playoff performance against the Rams showed a team on the rise, with the potential to continue improving.
Quarterback Bryce Young showcased that the team was right to not give up on him, showing flashes of what made him boththe Heisman Trophy winner and the number one pick in the 2023 draft.
On defense, the team improved from setting therecord for most points allowed in a season in 2024 to being 15th in scoring defense in 2025.
Another player who showed signs of ascension was wide receiver Jalen Coker, who, despite missing the first part of the season with a quad injury, flashed what made the undrafted free agent stand out as a rookie. Coker coming in clutch down the stretch,combined with having only a year left on his contract, is a recipe for Coker to be in line for a contract extension.
Playoff Standout
The playoffs are where legaciesare cemented, and extra zeroesare added to contracts. Jalen Coker might have accomplished both of those fears with a standout playoff performance against the Rams.
In a game where the Panthers were significant underdogs, even at home, Coker gave them a fighting chance to pull off the upset.
With nine receptions on 12 targets for 134yards and a touchdown, including the go-ahead score late in the fourth quarter, Coker displayed his clutch ability in a big way.
After the game, his quarterback, Bryce Young, heaped praise on Coker and his ability to step up in big-time moments. Kassidy Hill ofPanthers.com wrote aboutYoung’s praise of Coker in her January 10 article.
“Jalen’s,he’s a special, special player, special guy,”Young said. “The way that he works, he carries himself, the attention to detail he has throughout practice, not surprised at all. Big moment like this, him stepping up, him being himself, so, yeah, super, super happy for him.”
Coker’s improving chemistry with Young is paying off on the field, and could be paying off at the bank soon as well.
Cashing In
Jalen Coker might be in for a payday this offseason, according toESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano in their March 1 combine buzz article. Graziano wrote about the possibility of Coker receiving a contract extension this season.
“Wide receiver Jalen Coker could receive a contract extension in Carolina,”Graziano wrote.
Dylan Feltovich ofPanthers Roundtable comparedCoker’s contracts to those of other receivers with similar value to his and what they received on their contract extensions.
“If Carolina were to complete a deal with Coker this offseason, the contract would likely include two or more seasons, instead of a one-year deal,”Feltovich said. “As for the money, the 24-year-old playmaker may not command as much as Khalil Shakir and Rashad Bateman, but can still manage to land around $8-$10 million per year.”
Signing Coker to a deal in this range could be a win-win for both sides. The Panthers could get ahead of Coker ascending to the next level next season and commanding more money. Coker can gain some financial security following health concerns in the past two seasons.
Coker, if his end-of-season surge is any indication, is a player on the rise, and he could cash in on that success in the near future.