2026 NFL Draft: Panthers GM Dan Morgan addresses defensive line adjustments
Carolina released veteran DL A'Shawn Robinson in a cost-cutting move and could draft a prospect to bolster its positional depth.
2026 NFL Draft: Panthers GM Dan Morgan addresses defensive line adjustments originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . CHARLOTTE, N.
C. -- Business is business and the Carolina Panthers needed additional cap space for free-agent expenditures. The offseason result was the release of defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson.
A two-year starter, Robinson added a reliable presence, which Morgan could no longer afford. By releasing the former Super Bowl champion March 10, the Panthers saved approximately $10. 5 million .
Part of that infusion helped Morgan negotiate deals for three top free agents , edge Jaelan Phillips, inside linebacker Devin Lloyd, and left tackle Rasheed Wallace. Morgan didn't enjoy calling Robinson to inform the 10-year veteran of the cost-cutting, but necessary, maneuver. With the 2026 NFL Draft approaching April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, the Panthers could find Robinson's replacement with a mid-to-late-round selection.