Dan Morgan wasted no time in setting his strategy into motion. It's been a frantic few days for the Carolina Panthers, but one cannot look at their roster right now and think it hasn't improved.
By how much remains to be seen. The Panthers made some encouraging strides over the second half of 2024. Even so, Morgan faced a lot of hard work ahead to make the roster more balanced. This involved retaining some established figures and being aggressive in pursuit of convincing desired targets to join this ambitious project.
There are still moves to be made, but the pieces are slowly coming into place. Morgan's obvious purpose was fixing the defense. That's where his primary investments over the first few hours of legal tampering. After that, attention turned to re-signings and even a new special teams presence for good measure.
The table is being set by Morgan to provide flexibility during the 2025 NFL Draft, where the Panthers have nine selections as things stand. With salary-cap space dwindling, this is now the best possible route to improving the squad after most of the intriguing free-agent pieces have found alternative employment.
That's for the future. For now, we graded the first ten signings made by the Panthers over free agency so far.
Grading the Carolina Panthers' first ten signings in 2025 free agency
Carolina Panthers re-signed Brady Christensen
Brady Christensen was projected by some analysts to generate significant interest in the free-agent market. The offensive lineman's versatility to play all five positions on the protection is always a highly coveted trait. As it turned out, the Carolina Panthers found a way to keep him around.
The Panthers and Christensen agreed on a one-year extension worth $2.78 million. This keeps the entire offensive line core intact, which is great for depth purposes and fantastic news for quarterback Bryce Young.
Christensen's ability to slot in anywhere went against him last season. He became the starting center after Austin Corbett's injury. But when Ikem Ekwonu got hurt, he switched to the blindside and Cade Mays returned from the New York Giants practice squad.
Mays did enough to keep the job and Christensen returned to his swing backup role. Surprisingly, a decent offer from elsewhere didn't arrive, but the former third-round pick out of BYU reportedly loves living in Charlotte and is excited about the team's direction.
- Signing grade: A
Having this stability along the offensive line depth chart is rare around the league. It's been almost unheard of in Carolina, but those in power can relax safe in the knowledge Christensen can step in at a moment's notice anywhere.
Carolina Panthers signed Tershawn Wharton
The Carolina Panthers were reportedly in the driving seat to land prolific defensive lineman Milton Williams. Someone leaked to league insiders that a deal was close to being finalized. This was to provoke a response and get more money from elsewhere.
It worked. The New England Patriots took the bait, signing Williams to a bumper contract that works out at $26 million per year. It left the Panthers red-faced for forced to pivot. Dan Morgan accomplished this effectively by signing Tershawn Wharton.
Wharton doesn't boast the credentials Williams brings to the table, but he's not a bad consolation prize. The Panthers overpaid, there's no getting away from that, but they always do. That's the tax of being in a small market with a team not on the cusp of contention.
Signing grade: B
If Wharton takes a step forward and benefits from playing opposite Pro Bowl lineman Derrick Brown on Carolina's 3-4 defensive front, nobody will be complaining about the cost. They'll just be happy to have another valuable contributor in the trenches.
Carolina Panthers re-signed Mike Jackson Sr.
Big changes were coming to the Panthers' defense this offseason. That didn't mean Morgan wasn't going to maintain some semblance of continuity amid wholesale alterations.
Mike Jackson Sr. signed a two-year, $14.5 million extension after impressing more often than not last season. The Panthers had to think quickly when Dane Jackson suffered an injury in the summer. Morgan turned to someone he knew well, striking a trade for the former Seattle Seahawks veteran.
This was a shrewd bit of business from Morgan that cost him nothing more than seventh-round linebacker Michael Barrett. Jackson had moments of struggle, but his partnership with Jaycee Horn was one of the very few bright spots to emerge defensively in 2024.
The Panthers saw enough to convince them this partnership could flourish long-term. If those in power also add to their options with someone like Will Johnson via the draft, that would help enormously.
- Signing grade: B
Jackson is a good player and a solid pro. There should also be more to come with a full offseason to refine his skills and further familiarize himself with Evero's concepts.
Carolina Panthers signed Sam Martin
The Panthers have a new punter. Johnny Hekker's performance levels were way down the list of problems associated with Carolina in 2024. Unfortunately for the four-time All-Pro, Dan Morgan thought he could get better for perhaps cheaper.
Carolina agreed on a one-year deal worth up to $3 million for Sam Martin. He's 35 years old — the same age as Hekker. He had a much higher percentage of punts inside the 20-yard line last season at 46.3, but he also attempted 19 less on the Buffalo Bills.
Hekker wasn't out of work for long, signing a one-year agreement with the Tennessee Titans to continue his potential Pro Football Hall of Fame career. Martin is a serviceable option, albeit a short-term one at this stage of his playing career.
- Signing grade: B-
The Panthers are banking on having some good football left. Martin is a dependable professional with proven credentials. That could be enough to ensure no momentum is lost after Hekker's time with the franchise concluded.
Carolina Panthers signed Bobby Brown III
One of the most frustrating elements of the Carolina Panthers' defensive demise over the last two years centered on their refusal to acquire a legitimate nose tackle for Ejiro Evero's 3-4 base scheme. This position often goes overlooked, but it became glaringly obvious to fans just how important the anchor of the defensive front was.
Shy Tuttle tried his best, but he wasn't suited to the position. The penny finally dropped for the Panthers, signing Bobby Brown III to a three-year, $21 million deal that could rise to $27 million with incentives.
Better late than never.
Brown does a lot of the dirty work. He clogs up space for others to do damage. He absorbs double-teams effectively and is a formidable presence to move off the block. Simply put, he's exactly the sort of player Carolina's been craving.
- Signing grade: A
If there was ever a sign that the Panthers were serious about enhancing their defense, this is it. Hopefully, Brown's previous connection to Evero will smooth the transition into a different environment.
Carolina Panthers signed Patrick Jones II
Finding some help on the edge was another big requirement for the Panthers. Many thought Morgan might wait until the draft if he couldn't land a marquee name like Josh Sweat. As it turned out, the general manager found some middle ground.
The Panthers confirmed the signing of Patrick Jones II following his four-year stint with the Minnesota Vikings. He's been a solid if not spectacular performer throughout his career, but the player's seven sacks within Brian Flores' blitz-happy defense in 2024 represented a step in the right direction.
Jones might never be an elite pass-rusher, which is fine. One area where the former Pittsburgh standout excels is against the run. He sets a clean edge and is technically sound enough to anticipate where the runner is going and use his leverage in pursuit of the ball carrier.
- Signing grade: B
The Panthers have Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum, so Jones could be a key rotational piece rather than a starter. He's an instant upgrade in that sense, but it shouldn't prevent Morgan from finding another prolific prospect via the college ranks at some stage.
Carolina Panthers signed Tre'von Moehrig
The Panthers had to sure-up their safety corps at the earliest possible opportunity. With only undrafted free agent Demani Richardson under contract in 2025, Morgan had to be aggressive in pursuit of reinforcements.
Going down the draft route is almost guaranteed. Considering the need to make immediate improvements after a woeful campaign, the Panthers also shelled out for one of the top safeties on the market.
Tre'von Moehrig penned a three-year, $51 million contract to prise him from the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. Ironically, he was replaced by former Carolina star Jeremy Chinn, who surprisingly wasn't given an extension by the Washington Commanders after a standout year.
Moehrig is a tone-setter on the backend. He's a dominant run defender capable of being instinctive, physical, and explosive. There are some deficiencies in coverage, but the second-round pick out of TCU looks like a good scheme fit all things considered.
- Signing grade: B+
Much more is needed if the Panthers want their safety room to become an area of strength. But Moehrig gets them a lot closer to that objective.
Carolina Panthers re-signed Jaycee Horn
Jaycee Horn silenced his doubters in the best possible way in 2024. Dan Morgan recognized his importance to the Carolina Panthers by working out a contract extension ahead of time.
As expected, the Panthers had to pay a premium to keep one of the league's most prolific cornerbacks around long term.
Horn signed a four-year, $100 million extension with $70 million guaranteed. That makes him the league's highest-paid cornerback, but the Panthers probably saved themselves some cash in the long run.
The price is only going up with Sauce Gardner and Derek Stingley Jr. looking to get paid shortly. There is some mild risk attached considering Horn's overall injury history, but his production last season more than warranted a substantial commitment from the Panthers.
- Signing grade: A+
Morgan is keen to reward those drafted by the Panthers who prove their worth. He's done it with Derrick Brown, Chuba Hubbard, and now Horn. He's a cornerstone piece, so this was an absolute no-brainer with mutual benefits attached.
Carolina Panthers re-signed Austin Corbett
The Panthers' offensive line represents a genuine positive to build around last season. Morgan invested heavily in the personnel, which had the desired effect. Keeping continuity was high on Carolina's list of objectives this offseason.
Cade Mays was given a restricted free-agent tender after the former sixth-round selection performed well when introduced into the starting lineup. Austin Corbett also got another one-year deal despite suffering more injury issues in 2024.
Corbett made a superb transition to the offensive line anchor role alongside Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis. His experience and pre-snap communication became a tremendous asset. This momentum came to an abrupt halt with a torn bicep that ruled him out for the entire campaign.
- Signing grade: B+
What this means for the dynamic between Corbett and Mays this offseason is anyone's guess. The Panthers could implement a competition for the starting role, but it would be surprising if the Nevada product wasn't in the driving seat despite his health complications over the last three years.
Carolina Panthers re-signed Tommy Tremble
The Panthers were reportedly willing to let Tommy Tremble test the market to see what the value would be. But after some quick reflection, Morgan took decisive action to ensure things didn't come to that.
Carolina gave Tremble a two-year, $10.5 million contract with a $4 million signing bonus and $8 million guaranteed. This was somewhat surprising considering he hasn't truly established himself as yet, but the Panthers believe the athletically gifted tight end has something more to give.
Tremble is an exceptional blocker. With Ian Thomas departing the Panthers after giving a minimal at best contribution over the last two seasons, keeping the Notre Dame product around has benefits. Ja'Tavion Sanders is around to provide a pass-catching asset. Another dynamic presence, potentially via the draft, would round off this unit nicely.
- Signing grade: B
There's no doubt Tremble still has a lot to prove. But the Panthers aren't willing to give up on the player just yet.
