The Carolina Panthers head toward NFL Free Agency with newfound momentum. All thanks to their surprise NFC South title run with Bryce Young showing growth. Now they can capitalize through becoming aggressive in the free agent market.
Carolina general manager Dan Morgan already delivered franchise-altering draft moves and not limited to Young. Tetairoa McMillan rose as the league’s top offensive rookie this past season. But now Morgan must open the wallet for head coach Dave Canales and company. Although the Panthers currently have just above $14 million in cap space to work with.
Charlotte may not be an attractive glitz-and-glamour NFL market compared to L.A. or other major cities. Except now veterans seeking a home can look at the Panthers as a team building for a future run.
That said, all three of these sneaky good free agent targets come with past Super Bowl experience who can boost the franchise.
Super Bowl winner should be first pursuit for Panthers
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Not only that, Morgan and Carolina should make a run at Kenneth Walker III — also known as the Super Bowl LX Most Valuable Player for the Seattle Seahawks.
Chubba Hubbard remains RB1 here, but he’s struggled with giving Carolina consistency. Rico Dowdle will enter the free agency market too and he’s likely to walk. Then there’s Jonathon Brooks entering the hot seat as he returns from a torn ACL.
Carolina looks like its one impactful RB away from taking the next step. Canales believes in a hard-nosed ground attack but the franchise ranked 19th in yards and 27th through scoring.
Walker’s burst, vision, patience and power can ignite this floundering rushing attack. And add someone with a Super Bowl ring in tow.
NFC champion can team with Tetairoa McMillan
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Walker, again, isn’t the only past Super Bowl representative Carolina can pursue.
Landing Jauan Jennings come March will spark title-winning chatter. Jennings faces a nebulous future with the San Francisco 49ers anyway.
Jennings came to close to winning a ring back in the 2023 season. He’s fresh off scoring a career-high nine touchdowns.
The rest of the WR room outside of “T-Mac” feature guys facing make-or-break 2026 campaigns. Jennings can take red zone and possession pressure of McMillan.
Carolina can boost pass rush with 1 more NFC champ
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Dante Fowler looks like he’s nearing the end of the line.
But he delivered 10.5 sacks not long ago while with the Washington Commanders. Looks like the 31-year-old can use a change from Dallas.
The Cowboys UFA brings in needed veteran leadership to the pass rush room. Canales additionally can look to the past sack master to boost a unit that saw none of their defenders hit six sacks.
Landing edge rushers is a must come April in the NFL Draft. Though the 2018 NFC champ Fowler can show the ropes in this scenario.
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