Carolina’s front office has spent the offseason trying to sort through the good, the bad and the expensive, and one of last year’s free-agent additions is now getting pointed to as a possible trade chip.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox named defensive lineman Bobby Brown III as the Panthers’ top trade candidate, arguing that moving him could both clear money off the books and open the door for 2026 second-round pick Lee Hunter to take on a bigger role.
Brown signed a three-year, $21 million extension last offseason, but Knox noted that the 2021 fourth-round pick “didn't quite play up to expectations...” He added that if Carolina likes what it has seen from Hunter in training camp, the team should think about moving on from Brown and letting the rookie grow into the starting job.
“Last offseason, the Carolina Panthers signed defensive tackle Bobby Brown III to a three-year, $21 million extension. Unfortunately, the 2021 fourth-round pick didn't quite play up to expectations...
Tershawn Wharton's ongoing recovery from spring neck surgery clouds the defensive-line rotation a bit. However, if the Panthers are pleased with Hunter's development through training camp, they should consider getting out from under Brown's contract with a trade.
Moving Brown would move Hunter into a starting role while saving Carolina $6.2 million in 2026 cap space.”
That cap relief is the obvious appeal. Brown’s 54.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus ranked him 80th at his position in 2025, and the piece suggests Carolina would be fortunate to get much more than a seventh-round pick back in a deal.
Still, the situation isn’t as simple as cutting bait and moving on. Tershawn Wharton’s recovery from spring neck surgery has left the defensive-line rotation less certain, which means the Panthers may not be in a rush to thin out that group while the injury picture remains unsettled.
For now, the safer play might be keeping every body they have up front.
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