How to get back on track or how to do even better? The Touchdownactu editorial team offers you a franchise-by-franchise point of view: inventory of strengths and weaknesses as well as ideas for the market and the draft. Today: the Carolina Panthers.
The Carolina Panthers ended a nine-year playoff drought.For his second season in charge, Dave Canales finally managed to take Bryce Young (QB) and others a step further by winning the NFC South under the nose of the Buccaneers. and this despite a negative record of 8 victories for 9 defeats. after a more than honorable defeat against the Los Angeles Rams in the first round, Canales and his staff still have work to do to make this team enduring.
The objective of the offseason: to get out of the soft stomach
Yes, the 2025 season is successful. But it’s only the tree that hides the forest. The results are still negative. The point differential (-69) is 10th worst in the NFL.And the Panthers are average in all categories. To go far, Carolina will have to take risks.
Carolina Panthers captains
- Taylor Moton (RT)
- Tetairoa McMillan (WR)
- Derrick Brown (DL)
Taylor Moton is the anchor of a relatively solid Panthers offensive line but faces many uncertainties for 2026. The 32-year-old right tackle is a sure bet, also good in the pass block that in the run block.
The Panthers got their hands on their number 1 receiver in the 2025 draft. Tet McMillan largely confirmed the top 10 choice invested, finishing offensive rookie of the year with more than 1,000 receiving yards.
After an almost blank season in 2024, Derrick Brown returned to his best level. 73 tackles, 5 sacks, 7 passes deflected, Brown is one of the biggest threats from inside the line. And at 27 years old, the Panthers can largely work around him.
The Unwanted: A’Shawn Robinson (DL)
A’Shawn Robinson at 9 p.mth Carolina’s biggest salary, with more than $12 million in 2026. Releasing it would free up $10 million in payroll. with just 21 tackles and 2.5 sacks, the Panthers can do a lot better with that amount.
The main free agents of the Carolina Panthers
- Rico Dowdle, runner
- D.J. Wonnum, edge
- Jalen Coker, receiver
- Christian rozeboom, linebacker
- Cade Mays, center
Les autres : Austin Corbett (C/OG), Hunter Renfrow (WR), Yosh Nijman (LT)
Jalen Coker is a restricted free agent, with exclusive rights to Carolina. Suffice to say that the Panthers will extend their number 2 receiver without thinking too much.
rico Dowdle is coming off a majestic season with over 1000 yards and 6 touchdowns. There is no doubt that the runner will claim a nice ticket that the Panthers should not offer him. With Chuba Hubbard under contract and the return of Jonathon Brooks, Carolina should turn to a less expensive profile to complete its committee.
Big questions to ask on the offensive line as two starters are free agents. Center Cade Mays should pack his bags but Austin corbett with his experience and his role as a handyman can remain interesting. Moreover, with the injury to Ikem Ekwonu (LT) for the entire 2026 season, the Panthers could extend Yosh Nijman to ensure at least one backup in the position.