What Jalen Coker’s Contract Extension Could Look Like - And Why the Panthers Might Want to Act Sooner Than Later
The Carolina Panthers are coming off a 2025 season that finally gave their fans something to cheer about - a playoff berth for the first time since 2017. Now, as the front office turns its attention to the offseason, GM Dan Morgan has some key decisions to make.
One name that’s quietly become a part of that conversation? Wide receiver Jalen Coker.
Coker, a 2024 undrafted free agent out of Holy Cross, has done more than just make the roster - he’s made an impact. In two seasons under head coach Dave Canales, Coker has carved out a legitimate role in the Panthers’ offense. His 2025 campaign saw him haul in 74 catches for 1,006 yards and six touchdowns - production that’s hard to ignore, especially from a player who wasn’t even drafted.
Morgan recently acknowledged that extension talks are underway with VP of Football Operations Brandt Tilis. “In terms of the contract and stuff, that stuff me and Brandt are talking through,” Morgan said. “Timing on when to extend him and give him the deal, that’s all stuff that we are going to talk about.”
The Numbers Game: What Could a Coker Deal Look Like?
If Carolina wants to lock Coker in long-term, they’ll need to navigate a tricky valuation process. On one hand, he’s put up solid numbers for a young receiver. On the other, he’s still only played in 23 NFL games and enters the offseason as an exclusive rights free agent - meaning the Panthers could retain him for a one-year deal around $1 million without negotiating a new contract at all.
But there’s a risk in waiting.
Let’s look at some recent deals for wide receivers in similar stages of their careers:
- Khalil Shakir (Bills): 4 years, $58 million - roughly $13.2 million per year
- Rashod Bateman (Ravens): 3 years, $36.75 million - about $12.25 million annually
- Tutu Atwell (Rams): 1 year, $10 million - a shorter-term, prove-it type deal
Coker’s situation is unique. He wasn’t drafted, has fewer games under his belt, and hasn’t yet established himself as a WR1. But he’s shown enough promise to suggest that a breakout is within reach - and that makes his contract situation a bit of a balancing act.
If Carolina wants to play it safe and tender him at the ERFA level, they can do that. But if they’re thinking long-term, there’s a real argument for getting ahead of the market and locking him up now - before another productive season drives the price up.
A realistic extension might land somewhere in the $8-10 million per year range over two or three years. That’s lower than what Shakir or Bateman received, but still a significant bump for a former UDFA - and a fair reflection of his current role and upside.
Why It Makes Sense to Move Now
From a roster-building standpoint, extending Coker now could be a savvy move. Paying a rising player before he fully breaks out is how smart front offices create long-term value. If Coker continues to develop - and there's every reason to believe he will in Canales’s system - a deal in the $8-10 million range could look like a bargain a year from now.
This is also about sending a message. Rewarding a player who worked his way up from undrafted free agent to 1,000-yard receiver shows that the Panthers are serious about building a culture that values development and performance. That matters - not just in the locker room, but across the league.
Of course, there’s always risk. Maybe Coker doesn’t take that next step.
Maybe the Panthers want to see another year before making a commitment. But with the wide receiver market only going up, the cost of waiting could be steeper than the cost of betting on potential.
Bottom line: Jalen Coker has already outperformed expectations. Now, the Panthers have a chance to reward that - and potentially lock in a key piece of their offense for years to come.