The Carolina Panthers finished 2025 with an 8-9 record, tied with Tampa Bay atop the NFC South. It's a strong step forward from a franchise that went 2-15, and 5-12 respectively over the prior two seasons.

Carolina currently holds around $40M of projected cap space against an estimated $304M league threshold for 2026. This includes 39 contracts on the books (though two are set to void in early March). With 5 cap hits currently north of $20M, the Panthers should have some wiggle room to push their available space into aggressive territory, if they so desire.

The Panthers currently boast 7 draft picks, including two 5th-rounders (from Minnesota in the Adam Thielen trade).

Early Offseason Questions

  • Has QB Bryce Young done enough to warrant the 5th-year option? A multi-year extension?
  • With momentum growing on the offensive side of the ball, will Carolina be a dark horse team to land a notable veteran weapon via free agency or a trade this offseason?
  • As he approaches free agency, is Rico Dowdle the RB1 of the future? Can Jonathan Brooks be trusted after 2 ACL injuries? Can Chuba Hubbard regain the position at top form?

Notable Free Agents

(Spotrac Market Valuation)

C Cade Mays ($12M)
RB Rico Dowdle ($7.6M)
LB D.J. Wonnum ($5.6M)
S Nick Scott ($5M)
LB Christian Rozeboom ($3M)

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Option Decision

QB Bryce Young

The 2023 #1 overall pick has rounded into form across the past season and half, putting pressure on Carolina to consider exercising the projected $27M option for 2027. The Panthers are expected to lock in that salary at present time.

Extension Candidate

LT Ikem Ekwonu

The 2022 1st Round pick has progressed nicely over the past two seasons, and maybe more importantly, as remained reliable and available across his first four seasons in Carolina. The Panthers exercised a $17.56M option salary for 2026, but a multi-year extension is very much in play this offseason. The 25-year-old projects toward a 4 year, $86M contract in our system.

Bubble Candidates

RB Chuba Hubbard

Trade Candidate

$4.5M of Hubbard’s 2026 salary is already fully guaranteed, so an outright release isn’t likely here. But it’s possible that Carolina can secure a trade partner for what is essentially a 1 year, $6M contract going forward (2 years, $16.7M non-guaranteed thereafter). The Panthers can free up almost $3M of cap per an early offseason trade.

TE Tommy Tremble

Release Candidate

Signed a 2 year, $10.5M free agent contract this past March, but has since fallen down the depth chart a bit. Carolina may look to get out of this contract before a $2M salary guarantee kicks in on March 15th, freeing up $4.3M of cap space in doing so.

Potential Cap Conversions

All of DE Derrick Brown’s 2026 salary will be fully guaranteed by March 13th. Converting it to bonus can open up $14.3M of cap space.

All of CB Jaycee Horn’s 2026 salary is fully guaranteed. A full salary conversion (plus one void year) can open up $12.7M of space.

All of S Trevon Moehrig’s 2026 salary is fully guaranteed. A full salary conversion (plus three void years) can free up over $11M.

All of RT Taylor Moton’s 2026 salary is fully guaranteed. Processing a full salary conversion (plus two void years) can open up over $10M of cap.

All of DE Tershawn Wharton’s 2026 salary is fully guaranteed. Processing a full salary conversion (plus three void years) can open up over $10.2M of cap.

LT Ikem Ekwonu holds a fully guaranteed $17.56M cash/cap hit for 2026. A contract extension would almost certainly lower this figure for the upcoming season.

RELATED LINKS
2026 Panthers Salary Cap Table
Panthers 2026 Free Agents
Spotrac Offseason Guides