After clinching the NFC South crown in 2025, the Carolina Panthers are entering the 2026 offseason with a clear mission: stay competitive, build for the future, and make the playoffs the new normal - not a one-off. That means tough decisions are coming, especially with a roster full of pending free agents and a front office that’s been unafraid to reward its core contributors.
General manager Dan Morgan has already extended key pieces like Derrick Brown, Chuba Hubbard, Jaycee Horn, and Taylor Moton. But with seven veteran players entering the final year of their contracts, the Panthers face a series of pivotal choices that will shape both the 2026 season and the team’s long-term trajectory.
Let’s break down the status of those seven players - and what their futures might hold in Carolina.
QB Andy Dalton
At 38, Andy Dalton has been more than just a backup - he’s been a mentor to Bryce Young, helping guide the young quarterback through the early stages of his NFL career. Dalton even delivered the first win of the Dave Canales era back in 2024. But his time on the field since then has been a mixed bag, with his worst outing coming in a lopsided loss to the Bills this past season.
Dalton is guaranteed $2 million in 2026, but Morgan has already signaled an interest in bringing in a younger developmental QB to back up Young. That could come via free agency or the draft, and either route would put Dalton’s roster spot in jeopardy. His experience and leadership are valuable, but the Panthers may be ready to turn the page in the quarterback room.
OT Ickey Ekwonu
Ekwonu was hitting his stride in 2026, arguably playing the best football of his career - until disaster struck. A ruptured right patellar tendon in the playoff loss to the Rams has thrown his future into uncertainty. The injury is serious and will require a long rehab, making his availability for Week 1 a big question mark.
The Panthers already picked up his fifth-year option, locking him in for $17.6 million this season. But that’s a hefty price tag for a player who may not be ready to start the year - or may not return to form at all.
Carolina will likely bring in a stopgap option at left tackle, and if that player performs well, Ekwonu’s starting role could be in jeopardy. It’s a pivotal offseason for the former top-10 pick.
CB Mike Jackson
Jackson bet on himself with a two-year, $10.5 million deal last offseason - and he delivered in a big way. With 19 pass breakups and four interceptions, he turned in a career year and became a reliable starter opposite Jaycee Horn. Their chemistry in the secondary was a major bright spot for the Panthers’ defense.
Jackson is set to make just $4.25 million in base salary in 2026, which is a steal for a player performing at his level. The question now is whether the Panthers try to lock him up with another extension or ride out the final year of his deal.
Giving him a raise would eat into cap space, but letting him walk in 2027 could be even more costly. It’s a classic “pay now or pay later” scenario.
OLB Pat Jones
Jones was one of the Panthers’ notable free-agent additions last offseason, brought in on a two-year, $15 million deal to juice up the pass rush. But a back injury limited him to just four games in 2025, leaving a lot of “what ifs” on the table.
When healthy, Jones offers versatility - he can rush off the edge or kick inside. With D.J.
Wonnum heading into free agency, Jones could be a key piece of the 2026 pass rush, alongside second-year players Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen. But his health remains a major variable.
If he can bounce back, he’ll have a big role. If not, the Panthers may need to look elsewhere for production.
DE A’Shawn Robinson
Robinson has been a steady presence on the defensive line since arriving in 2024. He’s not Derrick Brown, but he’s been a reliable playmaker with eight sacks over two seasons. That said, the Panthers could save around $10.5 million in cap space by releasing him this offseason - a tempting option for a team looking to free up funds.
At 31, Robinson may not be part of the long-term blueprint, especially if the front office believes second-year lineman Cam Jackson is ready to step up. Robinson’s future in Carolina likely hinges on whether Morgan sees more value in his veteran consistency or in reallocating that money elsewhere.
TE Tommy Tremble
Tremble is one of the Panthers’ homegrown talents, and he’s coming off a career-best season in both catches and receiving yards. He re-signed last offseason on a two-year, $10.5 million deal, and while younger tight ends like Mitchell Evans and Ja’Tavion Sanders are still developing, Tremble has carved out a trusted role in the offense.
He’s also become a locker room leader and a reliable target for Bryce Young. The Panthers could save $6 million by cutting him, but that seems unlikely. A contract restructure or even an extension feels more in line with how the team values his presence - both on the field and behind the scenes.
G Chandler Zavala
Zavala’s NFL journey has been a rollercoaster. The 2023 fourth-round pick has dealt with multiple injuries - three trips to IR in three seasons - and struggled with consistency when he’s been on the field. He’s started 14 games in 34 appearances but hasn’t locked down a starting role.
With big money already committed to starting guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt, Zavala’s path to playing time is as a backup. And with Morgan expected to add more depth to the offensive line this offseason, Zavala will likely be fighting for a roster spot in training camp.
This is a make-or-break year for the former N.C. State standout.
The Big Picture
The Panthers are at a crossroads - balancing the momentum of a division title with the long-term sustainability of the roster. Dan Morgan has shown he’s not afraid to make bold moves, and this offseason will be no different. Whether it’s extending key veterans, cutting ties with aging players, or injecting youth through the draft, every decision will ripple through the locker room.
The goal is clear: build a roster that can not only compete in 2026 but stay in the playoff mix for years to come. That starts with deciding who’s part of the plan - and who’s not.