Carolina Panthers tackle Taylor Moton during an OTA practice on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
The Carolina Panthers’ youth movement is in full effect entering this week’s mandatory minicamp.
The team has brought in a host of youthful upgrades, from free agency to the draft, to improve the roster for the next few years. And as general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales continue to build the depth chart in their image, the bulk of the returning players are set to enter the final year on their respective contracts.
The Panthers have just nine players who are age 30 or older entering mandatory minicamp. Of that group, six of the 30-plus crowd will test free agency in 2026 once their contracts expire.
Here is a list of the 16 notable Panthers players set for free agency next year:
RT Taylor Moton
Moton, 30, will count as $31.3 million on the Panthers’ salary cap this season. While he is making a respectable $14.3 million base salary, multiple contract restructures have attached significant weight (read: dead money) on his cap number this year. The Panthers have had the option of lowering that cap number with a contract extension, but the team has chosen to be patient and take the hit for now.
Moton has been the team’s most consistent lineman for several years. While he’s dealt with some minor injuries recently, he’s still been pretty reliable when on the field. It’ll be interesting to see how the team handles this situation if Moton thrives during the 2025 campaign.
WR Adam Thielen
Thielen was given a unique pay bump to stick around in 2025. The 34-year-old wideout has led the team in receiving over the past two years and been Bryce Young’s steadiest target during his Carolina tenure. With all that said, the team has invested quite a bit of draft capital to prepare for Thielen’s eventual retirement.
Thielen’s targets are likely to see a drop-off in his third year with the franchise. The team has spent back-to-back first-round picks on wideouts Tetairoa McMillan and Xavier Legette, and the team feels good about young contributors like Jimmy Horn Jr. and Jalen Coker. This is likely to be Thielen’s last rodeo, even if that just means that he will leave Carolina for a contender.
Carolina Panthers Adam Thielen speaks during an interview at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, December 12, 2024. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
OLB DJ Wonnum
With Jadeveon Clowney no longer in Carolina, Wonnum will need to step up in his second year with the Panthers. The South Carolina alum produced four sacks in eight games last season after returning from an injury saga that included multiple surgeries and a blood clot. While he continues to deal with a minor back injury, the 27-year-old pass rusher has a much better outlook than he did last summer, and he should be able to work throughout the majority of training camp to prepare for the season.
Wonnum should get every opportunity to be a starter this season. While he isn’t a particularly consistent run stopper, he’s proven he is the best pass rusher within the outside linebacker room. Despite that status, second-round pick Nic Scourton and third-round pick Princely Umanmielen could eat into his snaps rather quickly.
C Austin Corbett
Corbett signed a one-year deal to return to Carolina and compete for the starting center job. While he isn’t guaranteed a starting spot, he does have a fully guaranteed base salary. The 29-year-old lineman should be considered the favorite for the top gig, but he will face worthwhile competition from Cade Mays, who is also on one-year deal.
The key for Corbett will be staying healthy. When he’s been on the field, he’s been terrific. However, he’s played in just nine games over the past two seasons due to a trio of surgeries. If he can remain durable and play well, he could get another deal in Carolina.
Carolina Panthers center Austin Corbett, center and Assistant Head Coach/ Run Game Coordinator Harold Goodwin, right, watch players run through a drill with during the team’s OTA practice on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
C Cade Mays
Like Corbett, Mays is on a one-year pact to compete. Mays filled in admirably at center during the second half of last season, and he is only 26.
If Mays can win the job outright, the Panthers might have a reasonable trade chip in Corbett. However, if Mays loses the competition, he faces a tough outlook: his restricted tender isn’t guaranteed, and the Panthers save $3.4 million by releasing him.
G/T Brady Christensen
Christensen, 28, surprisingly re-signed with the Panthers this offseason. Capable of playing all five positions on the offensive line, Christensen is ample insurance for the team’s most prized unit. He also gives the Panthers’ roster options based on how the starting center battle plays out, as he can backup Corbett or Mays if the team decides to move on from the runner-up.
Aug 17, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers guard Brady Christensen (70) during the first quarter New York Jets at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports Jim Dedmon USA TODAY NETWORK
DT Shy Tuttle
Tuttle, the starting nose tackle of the past two seasons, took a pay cut to stick around in 2025. After two mediocre years as a starter, the Panthers are hoping he can be an impactful depth piece.
The team has upgraded the position this offseason by signing Bobby Brown III and drafting Cam Jackson. Tuttle, 29, will need to beat out second-year lineman Jaden Crumedy, journeyman Sam Roberts and others to hold onto a job this summer.
WR Hunter Renfrow
Renfrow, 29, signed a one-year deal with the Panthers in April. The former Pro Bowl wideout took last year off to deal with an illness, but he is looking to recapture his career trajectory now that he is recovered. He is expected to compete with the likes of David Moore, Dan Chisena, Jacolby George, Kobe Hudson and others for a depth spot on the roster.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Hunter Renfrow on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
WR David Moore
Moore, 30, was a bit of an unsung hero for the Panthers’ offense last season. While he isn’t likely to be more than a depth option this year, Canales has often praised his leadership and knowledge of the offense. Moore is also a quality special teams asset, and his ability to work in multiple phases might be his ace in the hole to making the roster.
P Sam Martin
Martin, 35, is replacing Johnny Hekker this year.
Signed to a one-year deal in free agency, the Appalachian State alum is looking to close out his career on a high note. If he performs up to par with his career track record, he could be welcomed back to the squad in 2026.
Carolina Panthers punter Sam Martin during drills on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
RB Rico Dowdle
The Asheville native signed a one-year deal with the team in March. He will share carries out of the backfield with starting running back Chuba Hubbard and rookie Trevor Etienne.
After a 1,000-yard season with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024, Dowdle, 26, will look to stay healthy and go on a playoff run with the Panthers to boost his profile. He’s essentially a one-year placeholder while the Panthers await Jonathon Brooks’ recovery from a second ACL surgery in as many years.
ILB Christian Rozeboom
Like Dowdle, Rozeboom signed a one-year deal with the Panthers in free agency. After a breakout campaign in Los Angeles last season, Rozeboom is looking to further prove that he is more than just a special teams ace.
Rozeboom, 28, will be expected to push second-year starter Trevin Wallace in training camp. While Wallace has the leg up in any competition, Rozeboom could force his way onto the field in sub packages if he performs well throughout the summer. At the least, he will provide worthwhile injury insurance.
May 28, 2024; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom (56) during OTAs at California Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports Jayne Kamin-Oncea USA TODAY NETWORK
DB Nick Scott
Scott, 30, joined the Panthers last season as a prime depth safety. Scott was asked to start a few games due to injury and poor performance by others. During that stint as a starter, Scott was largely exposed. However, the Panthers covet his special teams ability and leadership skills. He should be able to make the team as a primary special teams ace.
OT Yosh Nijman
Nijman took a pay cut to stick around in Carolina this season.
After a tough franchise debut in 2024, the 29-year-old’s roster outlook is a bit murky heading into the summer. He will probably compete with Christensen, Brandon Walton, and others to keep his spot on the roster.
If Nijman stays, he is likely to be the primary backup to right tackle Taylor Moton.
JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
ILB Jon Rhattigan
Rhattigan, 26, was claimed off waivers last season from the Seattle Seahawks. The Panthers then signed him to a one-year contract extension. Given his history with special teams coordinator Tracy Smith, Rhattigan should have a notable place within Smith’s group. Last year, he led the team in special teams tackles, despite showing up right before Week 1.
LS JJ Jansen
Jansen has played in more Panthers games than any other player. The longtime long snapper is likely to play as long as he’s wanted in Carolina. He’s done the one-year contract dance since the start of the decade, and if he continues to be consistent, he should have no issue sticking around, even as he turns 40 next January.
Former Carolina Panthers defensive end and NFL Hall of Fame member Julius Peppers, left, speaks with long snapper JJ Jansen, right, during the team’s practice on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com