The Carolina Panthers entered free agency needing to improve on the defensive side of the ball.
Early reports said a contract with defensive tackle Milton Williams was in the works, which would’ve landed the Panthers one of the hottest free agents on the market.
They were unable to close the deal, though, as they got outbid by the New England Patriots, who gave him a four-year, $104 million contract with $63 million guaranteed. Despite this setback, the Panthers pivoted and used their money to make different and perhaps smarter signings.
Tre’von Moehrig
The Panthers signed former Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre’von Moehrig to a three-year deal worth $51 million, which could reach up to $60 million by hitting incentives.
He’s expected to fill in the safety role left vacant by Xavier Woods, who wasn’t re-signed by the team. Moehrig is excellent at defending the run, which was a major weakness for the Panthers last year. He was also used in blitz packages with the Raiders, culminating in him getting 14 pressures last season, putting him fourth among safeties.
Overall, this move upgraded the position, and Moehrig should be a day-one starter who improves the run defense.
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Patrick Jones II
Patrick Jones II is a 26-year-old pass rusher who had a career year with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, finishing with seven sacks on the season.
The Panthers signed him to a two-year deal worth up to $20 million. Jones is more of a depth signing, as these sacks are likely a product of the Brian Flores scheme, but he’s still a good run defender and provides a nice rotation option.
Bobby Brown III
A nose tackle formerly with the Los Angeles Rams, Bobby Brown III was looking to expand his role from more than just a run stuffer, as earlier this month he ranted about wanting an expanded role.
He’ll have the chance to do that with the Panthers. Despite wanting an expanded role, Brown is mostly being brought in for his run defense and to solidify the middle of the defensive line in Carolina’s 3-4 scheme. The Panthers signed him to a three-year, $21 million deal.
Tershawn Wharton
Tershawn Wharton is another young defensive player who fits the theme of the Panthers’ first day of free agency.
Like Brown, he’s also a defensive tackle but has more starting capability and provides the pass-rushing prowess the other signings don’t. A young starter with Super Bowl experience was definitely needed on this squad, and the Panthers signed him to a three-year, $54 million contract.
These moves ended up allocating the money that would’ve gone to Milton Williams to four different defensive players that could help improve the overall roster more than just one splash signing.
The Panthers upgraded their roster and helped address crucial needs — especially the run defense — and it was a smart way to pivot when the Williams signing didn’t happen.
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