Does Panthers’ offseason checklist include replacing Dalton?

CHARLOTTE, NC — 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 heart Cade Mays or signal a free agent.

Based on current interviews with Carolina Panthers common supervisor Dan Morgan, coach Dave Canales and others on the NFL mix, it is a major checklist for the reigning NFC South champions getting into NFL free agencywhich 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 stated in Indianapolis. “That’s never going to change as long as I’m the GM.”

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

Dalton’s substitute

It’s not a finished 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 crew desires to develop a younger backup behind Young.

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

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

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

So discovering a younger participant is logical for what Canales continually calls a developmental franchise. That seemingly means a cellular quarterback. One seemingly can rule out a free agent resembling Malik Willisa third-round decide in 2022. He’ll be going someplace to compete for a beginning job. And the identical goes for the Arizona Cardinals‘ Kyle Murraywho is predicted to be launched, on his subsequent job.

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

center 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 stated.

Christian Rozeboom was greater than satisfactory as a run-stopper final season, however he was a detriment in cross protection. That and his age (29) are why Carolina will seemingly transfer on from him except he re-signs at a low value for depth functions.

The listing of certified replacements in free company is slim. Devin Bush and Devin Lloyd are the obvious. Both are of their late 20s and ok to supply not less than a short-term repair. Lloyd particularly has developed into an elite protection linebacker. He had 5 interceptions final season for Jacksonville and has 9 in 4 seasons.

edge rusher

Carolina appears set to maneuver on from DJ Wonnumwho has solely seven sacks in two seasons for Carolina.

Morgan used a second- and third-round decide 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 influence rusher to play reverse Patrick Jones IIwho was restricted to 4 video games final season attributable to harm. Morgan did not rule out Bradley Chubbwho was minimize by the Dolphins and will probably be 30 earlier than subsequent season.

“Still playing at a really good level,” Morgan stated on the mix. “Just a really good player. And that’s something we’ll stay in [touch with] and explore.”

Chubb has ties to defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero since when they were together in Denver. He had 8.5 sacks in 17 starts last season for the Dolphins, two years removed from ACL surgery.

It’s unlikely Carolina will go after free agent Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) because of the price, but there are decent and much cheaper options in younger players such as Jaelan Phillips (Eagles) and Arnold Ebiketie (Falcons).

“You convey a veteran in who’s performed a variety of soccer, that clearly helps your crew,” Morgan said. “But we’re actually enthusiastic about our younger guys. We drafted them excessive for a cause. We suppose they’re tremendous proficient guys that may be influence 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 Ramsplaces his 2026 season in jeopardy. Despite good early stories from Morgan and Canales, neither had a timeline for his return. It’s often a prolonged and difficult course of that takes not less than six to 9 months.

Re-signing Yosh Nijman needs to be the highest precedence as a stopgap. Using the No. 19 decide of the primary spherical on a deal with additionally is smart as a result of there’ll seemingly be stable beginning choices there for an influence participant. It’s additionally arduous to get a beginning left deal with in free company as a result of the value is so excessive (eg, Green Bay’s Rasheed Walker).

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

Center

Mays and Austin Corbett they’re free brokers. Carolina seems set to maneuver on from Corbett. Re-signing Mays can 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 decide for a long-term answer is smart, significantly with Morgan vowing to make Carolina sturdy on each side of the ball. For him, that begins inside on each strains.

“We have a good plan,” Morgan stated. “We’re going to stick to the plan.”