Carolina Panthers make major moves on day 1 of NFL free agency

The Carolina Panthers kicked off the 2025 NFL free agency period with a bang, addressing their most glaring weakness: the defense. After ranking as one of the league’s worst run defenses last season, general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales made it clear that strengthening the defensive side of the ball was a priority. Here’s how they took action on day one.

The Panthers locked in their star cornerback, Jaycee Horn, by making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. The four-year extension is worth $100 million, with $70 million guaranteed. Horn’s presence as a lockdown corner was never in question, and his extension ensures the Panthers have a cornerstone in their secondary for years to come.

Carolina made a major push to improve their defensive line. The Panthers signed former Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton to a three-year, $54 million deal. Wharton is coming off his best season with 6.5 sacks. They signed defensive tackle Bobby Brown III to a three-year, $21 million deal. Brown, a former Ram, is known for his run-stopping ability and will help the Panthers defend the run. Additionally, the Panthers added edge rusher Patrick Jones II on a two-year, $20 million deal after he posted seven sacks with the Vikings last season.

The Panthers continued to fortify their defense by bringing in Tre’von Moehrig, a talented safety from the Raiders, on a three-year, $51 million contract. Moehrig, who had a career-best 104 tackles in 2024, will strengthen the secondary and provide support in both coverage and run defense. The Panthers also re-signed cornerback Mike Jackson to a two-year, $14.5 million deal, keeping their cornerback room intact.

With these aggressive moves, the Panthers have signaled that they’re committed to fixing their defense. Expect more action in the coming days as they look to further bolster their roster for the 2025 season.