The Carolina Panthers made a few huge splashes on Monday — one within the hour of the legal tampering window opening up, in fact.
But there’s still plenty of work to do on the free agency front.
The Charlotte Observer is tracking all the free-agency-related wheelings and dealings from Tuesday (Day 2) on this live tracker. Check back for updates throughout the day.
A reminder: Any deals with external free agents are not “official” until the new league year, which begins 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Recapping Day 1 of free agency for Carolina Panthers
For a full review of the Panthers’ foray into 2026 free agency on Monday, click here. But here’s the gist:
The Panthers got their guy at inside linebacker, and they did it right before closing their doors for the day. Just after 10 p.m. Monday, a league source confirmed to The Observer that the Panthers had signed inside linebacker Devin Lloyd to a three-year, $45 million deal. Lloyd was one of the best inside linebackers — if not the best ILB — available on the free agent market coming into Monday after a Pro Bowl 2025. The move addresses a massive need for this Panthers defense, too.
Carolina beefed up its pass rush when the team agreed to terms with Eagles outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips. A league source confirmed to The Observer that it was a four-year, $120 million deal. The 26-year-old California native finished with five sacks in 2025; he spent the first nine games with the Miami Dolphins and then finished off the season with the Philadelphia Eagles. His pressure rate numbers are remarkable — even if his sack numbers aren’t — which is great news for a Panthers pass rush that was among the worst in the league last year. Phillips also played a complete season in 2025 after seeing two separate significant injuries end his seasons in 2023 (Achilles) and 2024 (ACL).
General manager Dan Morgan followed through on his stated desire to add a young quarterback this offseason when the Panthers’ front office agreed to terms with Kenny Pickett late Monday. Pickett, 27, spent 2025 as second-string quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders. He appeared in six games — notching two starts — and threw for 188 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions with a 62.2% completion percentage. Seems like a backup QB competition between Pickett and 38-year-old Andy Dalton could be brewing this training camp.
The Panthers got some no-brainers out of the way, too. Two in particular: bringing back corners/special teams players Akayleb Evans and Robert Rochell. Both are back on one-year deals and will be depth pieces to a secondary that came together nicely in 2025 — particularly with the career-best play of Mike Jackson and the second consecutive Pro Bowl season of Jaycee Horn.
The Panthers did not retain their starting center from 2025. Cade Mays hit the open market Monday and found what he was looking for with the Detroit Lions. From a money perspective, that amounted to three years, $25 million. This doesn’t end the decisions the Panthers will have to make along the offensive line, however. The team will also need to assess the futures of interior OL Brady Christensen and IOL (with starting center experience in Carolina) Austin Corbett — both of whom are unrestricted free agents.
The Panthers also bid farewell to running back Rico Dowdle, who reportedly is headed to the Pittsburgh Steelers after his 1,000-plus rushing-yard season with the Panthers. Such news was significant, even if unsurprising.
List of Panthers’ internal free agents
The unrestricted free agents: They can negotiate with other teams as well as the Panthers.
LB Krys Barnes
G/T Brady Christensen
C/G Austin Corbett
G/T Jake Curhan
RB Rico Dowdle
OLB Trevis Gipson
P Sam Martin
CB Damarri Mathis
WR David Moore
OT Yosh Nijman
LB Christian Rozeboom
S Nick Scott
S Isaiah Simmons
OLB DJ Wonnum
The restricted free agents who haven’t yet been offered a tender: If they don’t receive a qualifying offer by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, they’ll be unrestricted free agents.
The exclusive rights free agents: These players can only negotiate with their incumbent teams. The Panthers have extended both of Jalen Coker and Brycen Tremayne qualifying offers — or league mininum salaries for one year — but they each can continue to negotiate with the Carolina front office.
Notable offseason needs for Panthers
Inside linebacker
Outside linebacker
Offensive tackle
Center
Safety
Tight end
Wide receiver
Punter
Mike Kaye writes about the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer. He also co-hosts “Processing Blue: A Panthers Podcast” for The Observer. Kaye’s work in columns/analysis and sports feature writing has been honored by the North Carolina Press Association (NCPA). His reporting has also received recognition from the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).Kaye previously covered the entire NFL for Pro Football Network, the Philadelphia Eagles for NJ Advance Media and the Jacksonville Jaguars for First Coast News. Support my work with a digital subscription