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In a somewhat unexpected move, at least as far as timing goes, the Carolina Panthers reached a contract extension with third-year wideout Jalen Coker.
The agreement was officially announced on Friday, and gives the former undrafted free agent an additional three years and $34 million to his existing pact. And now Coker, whose best ball is very likely ahead of him, is tied to the Panthers through 2029.
So with Coker’s standing firmly established, who else could strike a deal to stick around?
Here are four players we think could be next in line for an extension in Carolina . . .
Final year of contract: 2027
Here’s the one that has and will continue to garner the most attention, and for obvious reasons.
Young is coming off career-highs across the board as a passer in 2025—where he completed 63.6 percent of his throws for 3,011 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also helped lead the franchise to their first playoff berth since 2017 and their first NFC South title since 2015.
Yet, the 24-year-old still has a ways to go to earn a huge investment from the organization that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2023. Despite the improvement, Young has amassed at least 250 passing yards in just seven of his 44 career starts—three of which came this past season.
He’ll have to produce a bit more consistently than that, especially with the resources that’ve been spent in surrounding him. Along with extending Coker, Carolina has used their last three first-round picks on two receivers (Xavier Legette and Tetairoa McMillan) and a left tackle (Monroe Freeling).
For now, Young is under contract for 2026 and, thanks to his fifth-year option, 2027.
Final year of contract: 2027
Fellow starting guard and 2024 free-agent signee Robert Hunt has gotten more recognition, but Lewis may be the most valuable interior offensive lineman on the roster.
Pro Football Focus penciled Lewis in with a 75.7 overall offensive grade, a 78.5 pass-blocking grade and a 73.1 run-blocking grade in 2025. Those marks—respectively—ranked 11th, third and 14th amongst 81 qualifying guards.
He's also displayed some impressive durability, even when dealing with injury. Lewis played through shoulder, elbow and ankle issues to make 33 out of a possible 35 starts as a Panther.
The mentality and toughness of the 29-year-old hog molly is a model representation of how the braintrust wants to build this roster.
Final year of contract: 2026
Jackson, even above Coker, is perhaps the best bargain Dan Morgan has found in his tenure as general manager.
He was acquired in 2024, in a one-for-one swap involving seventh-round pick Michael Barrett, and proceeded to lock down the starting spot next to Pro Bowler Jaycee Horn. The Panthers knew what they had, and re-signed Jackson on a two-year, $10.5 million pact.
The ascension would continue, as Jackson turned in an even more impressive 2025 with a career-high four interceptions and a league-leading 19 passes defensed. And he, like Coker, shined on the team's biggest stage of the season—tallying a pick and four passes defensed in the near-upset of the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round.
If he opens more eyes for a third straight season, then Jackson may not come cheap off the final campaign of his contract—even at 30 years old. Carolina may be wise to strap him back in before he hits the open market.
Final year of contract: 2027
It doesn’t seem like long since the Panthers signed Moehrig to a three-year, $51 million agreement out of free agency . . . because it wasn’t. It happened last spring.
Nevertheless, the versatile defensive back proved his worth in the very first season of the pact. He posted career-highs in solo tackles (63), sacks (3.0), quarterback hits (seven) and stops (42) while playing a part in the massive step forward for the Carolina defense.
Moehrig’s ability to line up all over the field made him a star in defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero's unit. He'll turn 27 years old on June 16, so he might be a presence worth keeping around.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers extend Jalen Coker: 4 more extension candidates for Carolina
Continue reading...
The agreement was officially announced on Friday, and gives the former undrafted free agent an additional three years and $34 million to his existing pact. And now Coker, whose best ball is very likely ahead of him, is tied to the Panthers through 2029.
So with Coker’s standing firmly established, who else could strike a deal to stick around?
Here are four players we think could be next in line for an extension in Carolina . . .
QB Bryce Young
Final year of contract: 2027
Here’s the one that has and will continue to garner the most attention, and for obvious reasons.
Young is coming off career-highs across the board as a passer in 2025—where he completed 63.6 percent of his throws for 3,011 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also helped lead the franchise to their first playoff berth since 2017 and their first NFC South title since 2015.
Yet, the 24-year-old still has a ways to go to earn a huge investment from the organization that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2023. Despite the improvement, Young has amassed at least 250 passing yards in just seven of his 44 career starts—three of which came this past season.
He’ll have to produce a bit more consistently than that, especially with the resources that’ve been spent in surrounding him. Along with extending Coker, Carolina has used their last three first-round picks on two receivers (Xavier Legette and Tetairoa McMillan) and a left tackle (Monroe Freeling).
For now, Young is under contract for 2026 and, thanks to his fifth-year option, 2027.
G Damien Lewis
Final year of contract: 2027
Fellow starting guard and 2024 free-agent signee Robert Hunt has gotten more recognition, but Lewis may be the most valuable interior offensive lineman on the roster.
Pro Football Focus penciled Lewis in with a 75.7 overall offensive grade, a 78.5 pass-blocking grade and a 73.1 run-blocking grade in 2025. Those marks—respectively—ranked 11th, third and 14th amongst 81 qualifying guards.
He's also displayed some impressive durability, even when dealing with injury. Lewis played through shoulder, elbow and ankle issues to make 33 out of a possible 35 starts as a Panther.
The mentality and toughness of the 29-year-old hog molly is a model representation of how the braintrust wants to build this roster.
CB Mike Jackson
Final year of contract: 2026
Jackson, even above Coker, is perhaps the best bargain Dan Morgan has found in his tenure as general manager.
He was acquired in 2024, in a one-for-one swap involving seventh-round pick Michael Barrett, and proceeded to lock down the starting spot next to Pro Bowler Jaycee Horn. The Panthers knew what they had, and re-signed Jackson on a two-year, $10.5 million pact.
The ascension would continue, as Jackson turned in an even more impressive 2025 with a career-high four interceptions and a league-leading 19 passes defensed. And he, like Coker, shined on the team's biggest stage of the season—tallying a pick and four passes defensed in the near-upset of the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round.
If he opens more eyes for a third straight season, then Jackson may not come cheap off the final campaign of his contract—even at 30 years old. Carolina may be wise to strap him back in before he hits the open market.
S Tre'von Moehrig
Final year of contract: 2027
It doesn’t seem like long since the Panthers signed Moehrig to a three-year, $51 million agreement out of free agency . . . because it wasn’t. It happened last spring.
Nevertheless, the versatile defensive back proved his worth in the very first season of the pact. He posted career-highs in solo tackles (63), sacks (3.0), quarterback hits (seven) and stops (42) while playing a part in the massive step forward for the Carolina defense.
Moehrig’s ability to line up all over the field made him a star in defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero's unit. He'll turn 27 years old on June 16, so he might be a presence worth keeping around.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers extend Jalen Coker: 4 more extension candidates for Carolina
Continue reading...
