New Headline: Panthers' Renamed Squad: Ready for an Electric Battle This Year!
The Carolina Panthers took a big swing in free agency to add a defensive playmaker, but not everybody is a huge fan of the move.
Panthers $120 million signing named among riskiest offseason moves originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Free agency got started last week and many big-name players have already signed deals.
The Carolina Panthers are one team that has already made a few notable moves. Center Luke Fortner, linebacker Devin Lloyd, and edge-rusher Jaelan Phillips are the biggest names the team had added so far. On paper, these additions should make the Panthers much better in 2026.
However, not everybody is completely sold on one of the team's moves. Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports specifically identified the Phillips signing as one of the most risky moves of free agency. Vacchiano offered the following analysis on the signing: Pass-rushers always come at a premium price in free agency, and there’s still a gap between him and the top six, who get $35-45 million per season.
But Phillips does have injury issues in his past (Achilles, knee) and he’s coming off a five-sack season. In fact, his sack numbers have been on a steady decline since the 8. 5 he posted as a rookie in 2021.