The Carolina Panthers are coming off a promising 2025 season, and with Bryce Young heading into Year 4, the front office-led by GM Dan Morgan-has a golden opportunity to take the next step. The defense still needs work, particularly up front, but if this team wants to compete in the NFC, it’s the offense that needs a jolt. And that jolt could come in the form of a veteran tight end who knows how to move the chains and find the end zone.
Let’s start with what’s working. First-round pick Tetairoa McMillan turned heads as a rookie, earning a spot as a finalist for the 2025 AP Rookie of the Year Award.
He brought size, hands, and polish to a Panthers receiving corps that needed a true WR1-and he delivered. Add in Jalen Coker, an undrafted gem from 2024, who chipped in 528 yards and four touchdowns last season, and suddenly there’s a young core of pass catchers beginning to take shape in Charlotte.
But even with McMillan and Coker making plays, the Panthers still have a glaring hole at tight end. Ja’Tavion Sanders, a fourth-round pick in 2024, hasn’t quite found his footing yet.
He’s flashed at times, but the consistency just isn’t there. And if Carolina wants to give Young the best shot at success, surrounding him with reliable, veteran targets is a must.
Enter Dallas Goedert.
The longtime Philadelphia Eagle is set to hit free agency, and if the Panthers are serious about taking the next step offensively, he should be near the top of their wish list. Goedert brings a rare mix of experience, production, and leadership-exactly what this young offense needs.
A second-round pick back in 2018, Goedert learned under Zach Ertz before taking over the starting role in 2021. Since then, he’s been one of the most dependable tight ends in the league.
In his first year as the full-time starter, he put up 56 catches for a career-high 830 yards. And he’s only gotten better with time-last season, he hauled in a career-best 11 touchdowns.
That kind of red zone production would be a game-changer for Young, who’s shown flashes of brilliance but still needs a reliable safety valve in the middle of the field. Goedert’s ability to find soft spots in coverage, block in the run game, and serve as a leader in the locker room makes him an ideal fit for this Panthers squad.
There’s also the financial side of things. According to Spotrac, Goedert’s projected market value sits around $6 million per year-a very manageable figure for a team looking to build around its young quarterback without breaking the bank. That’s the kind of value signing that can elevate a roster without compromising future flexibility.
Of course, the Panthers could also look to the draft. Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq is an intriguing tight end prospect who might be available when Carolina is on the clock.
But given the team’s pressing need for an EDGE rusher, spending a first-rounder on a tight end might not be in the cards. That’s where a move for Goedert makes even more sense-he fills a need now, without forcing the team to pass on a premium position in the draft.
Bottom line: The Panthers are building something. They’ve got their quarterback.
They’ve got young weapons. Now it’s about rounding out the offense with smart, strategic additions.
Dallas Goedert checks every box-and if Carolina wants to make noise in 2026, he’s the kind of move that could make all the difference.