Does Panthers’ offseason checklist include replacing Dalton?

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Move on from veteran backup quarterback Andy Dalton and develop a younger quarterback behind Bryce Young.

Sign a center linebacker who is robust in cross protection.

Sign an edge rusher.

Sign a possible fill-in for left deal with Ikem Ekwonu.

Re-sign middle Cade Mays or signal a free agent.

Based on latest interviews with Carolina Panthers normal supervisor Dan Morgan, coach Dave Canales and others on the NFL mix, this can be a main checklist for the reigning NFC South champions getting into NFL free agency, which begins at midday ET Monday with the authorized negotiating window opening.

“When I took over this job the number one thing I wanted to do was make us strong on both sides of the ball,” Morgan said in Indianapolis. “That’s by no means going to vary so long as I’m the GM.”

With that, let’s break down the Panthers’ checklist:

Dalton’s alternative

It’s not a carried out deal that Carolina will transfer on by buying and selling or releasing the 38-year-old, who was 0-1 because the starter final season and 1-6 over the previous three seasons.

All Morgan stated was that Dalton must compete for the job. But in the identical breath Morgan stated the group needs to develop a younger backup behind Young.

Moving on is the plan, even when it means releasing Dalton and leaving $3.83 million in lifeless cap cash with a post-June 1 parting.

Why? Morgan believed in Young sufficient to pick up his fifth-year option. He does not seem anxious to present the highest choose of the 2023 draft, who’s 14-30 total, an extension.

But discovering a younger participant to develop additionally is smart. Dalton appeared like a sitting duck in his solely 2025 begin, a 40-9 loss to Buffalo. He was sacked seven occasions.

So discovering a younger participant is logical for what Canales continuously calls a developmental franchise. That probably means a cell quarterback. One probably can rule out a free agent reminiscent of Malik Willis, a third-round choose in 2022. He’ll be going someplace to compete for a beginning job. And similar goes for the Arizona Cardinals‘ Kyler Murray, who is predicted to be launched, on his subsequent job.

The Panthers’ subsequent backup probably will come from a mid- or late-round choose within the draft. Free agent potentialities include Kenny Pickett, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance or Sam Howell.

Middle linebacker

Morgan performed the place in Carolina, so he understands the significance of getting a participant who can cease the run and drop into protection.

“In terms of free agency and the draft, that’s a position we’ll try to attack,” Morgan said.

Christian Rozeboom was more than adequate as a run-stopper last season, but he was a detriment in pass coverage. That and his age (29) are why Carolina likely will move on from him unless he re-signs at a low cost for depth purposes.

The list of qualified replacements in free agency is slim. Devin Bush and Devin Lloyd are the most obvious. Both are in their late 20s and good enough to provide at least a short-term fix. Lloyd in particular has developed into an elite coverage linebacker. He had five interceptions last season for Jacksonville and has nine in four seasons.

Edge rusher

Carolina seems set to move on from D.J. Wonnum, who has solely seven sacks in two seasons for Carolina.

Morgan used a second- and third-round choose final season on Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen. Scourton confirmed essentially the most promise with 5 sacks, however there’s perception in Umanmielen regardless of just one.5 sacks.

Still, Carolina wants an impression rusher to play reverse Patrick Jones II, who was restricted to 4 video games final season resulting from damage. Morgan did not rule out Bradley Chubb, who was reduce by the Dolphins and will likely be 30 earlier than subsequent season.

“Still playing at a really good level,” Morgan said at the combine. “Just a very good participant. And that is one thing we’ll keep in [touch with] and discover.”

Chubb has ties to defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero from once they had been collectively in Denver. He had 8.5 sacks in 17 begins final season for the Dolphins, two years faraway from ACL surgical procedure.

It’s unlikely Carolina will go after free agent Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) due to the worth, however there are first rate and less expensive choices in youthful gamers reminiscent of Jaelan Phillips (Eagles) and Arnold Ebiketie (Falcons).

“You bring a veteran in who’s played a lot of football, that obviously helps your team,” Morgan said. “But we’re actually enthusiastic about our younger guys. We drafted them excessive for a purpose. We suppose they’re tremendous proficient guys that may be impression gamers on this league.”

Left deal with

Ekwonu’s restoration from a ruptured patella tendon in his proper knee, suffered within the wild-card playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams, places his 2026 season in jeopardy. Despite good early experiences from Morgan and Canales, neither had a timeline for his return. It’s often a prolonged and hard course of that takes no less than six to 9 months.

Re-signing Yosh Nijman must be the highest precedence as a stopgap. Using the No. 19 choose of the primary spherical on a deal with additionally is smart as a result of there probably will likely be strong beginning choices there for an impression participant. It’s additionally onerous to get a beginning left deal with in free company as a result of the worth is so excessive (e.g., Green Bay’s Rasheed Walker).

Other choices may include Braxton Jones (Bears) and Cam Robinson (Browns), relying on how assured the Panthers are in Ekwonu returning earlier than later.

Center

Mays and Austin Corbett are free brokers. Carolina seems set to maneuver on from Corbett. Re-signing Mays could be the primary choice, however he is anticipated to check free company and different groups have an interest.

If Mays leaves, utilizing a second- or third-round draft choose for a long-term answer is smart, significantly with Morgan vowing to make Carolina sturdy on either side of the ball. For him, that begins inside on each strains.

“We have a good plan,” Morgan said. “We’re going to stay to the plan.”