NFL analyst gives Panthers solid offseason grade
The Panthers have earned yet another strong grade for their 2026 offseason.
If the Carolina Panthers are to become serious Super Bowl contenders once again, they'll have to keep stacking good offseasons. And as yet another credit to general manager Dan Morgan, you can add this spring to their growing pile. The top priorities for the defending NFC South champions heading out of 2025 were to improve the supporting cast around quarterback Bryce Young and to boost their ascending defense.
On paper, they've now checked both boxes—using free agency to reel in a promising pass rusher and a Pro Bowl linebacker and the draft to add two new potential starting offensive linemen and a speedy wideout. Add it all up, and you have a strong offseason—which has earned the Panthers a "B" grade from Bleacher Report. NFL analyst Brent Sobleksi writes: The Carolina Panthers spent big in free agency to up their defensive game.
The organization invested $162 million in total contractual worth between the Jaelan Phillips and Devon Lloyd signings. They're coming in as expected difference-makers. While that may be the case defensively, Carolina's offense didn't make huge strides...
The argument rings true, as Carolina's defense appears to be much more solid now than it did at this time last season. Their unit finally has a top-level 'backer in Lloyd and may be able to apply some more consistent pressure with Phillips off the edge. Offensively, we're not as harsh as that B/R line—but we do have a problem with the fact that they didn't bother to sign an upgrade at tight end.