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The Carolina Panthers went out and made a few big moves in the 2026 NFL free agency period. Most notably, they signed the top pass rusher on the market in former Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles standout Jaelan Phillips.
He signed a four-year deal worth $120 million as Carolina hopes he can live up to that big payday. Adding a pass rusher like Phillips could do wonders for what was already a good defense in Carolina.
But if you want to take the next step and be a contender, these are the type of moves that need to pay off.
With training camp looming, an NFL analyst handed out grades for free agent moves including Phillips. And there's good news for those who were a little skeptical of the signing.
Bleacher Report's Moe Moton gave the Panthers a B grade for the "huge risk" signing of Jaelan Philips in the free agency period:
Jaelan Phillips made our list of the most overpaid players at every position, but that doesn't mean the Carolina Panthers deserve a low grade for this signing... Carolina signed Phillips to the biggest deal among 2026 free agents, which is a huge risk given his injury history. He's missed nine or more games in two out of five seasons. Even while healthy for full 17-game slates, the 27-year-old has yet to log a double-digit sack campaign.
Now, this is just one persons opinion. There are a lot of things that can happen and Moton is right to point out that Phillips is a huge risk. He hasn't been able to stay healthy and play a full 17 game season.
He also hasn't hit double-digit sacks in any of his five seasons. There is a lot of potential there for Phillips and what he can bring to Carolina's defense but if this turns out to be a 'bust' signing it could set the Panthers back a bit in what will be a very important 2026 season.
Let's hope that's not the case and Phillips can bring a new element to this defense that they have needed.
Continue reading...
He signed a four-year deal worth $120 million as Carolina hopes he can live up to that big payday. Adding a pass rusher like Phillips could do wonders for what was already a good defense in Carolina.
But if you want to take the next step and be a contender, these are the type of moves that need to pay off.
With training camp looming, an NFL analyst handed out grades for free agent moves including Phillips. And there's good news for those who were a little skeptical of the signing.
Panthers earn a passing grade for Jaelan Phillips signing
Bleacher Report's Moe Moton gave the Panthers a B grade for the "huge risk" signing of Jaelan Philips in the free agency period:
Jaelan Phillips made our list of the most overpaid players at every position, but that doesn't mean the Carolina Panthers deserve a low grade for this signing... Carolina signed Phillips to the biggest deal among 2026 free agents, which is a huge risk given his injury history. He's missed nine or more games in two out of five seasons. Even while healthy for full 17-game slates, the 27-year-old has yet to log a double-digit sack campaign.
Now, this is just one persons opinion. There are a lot of things that can happen and Moton is right to point out that Phillips is a huge risk. He hasn't been able to stay healthy and play a full 17 game season.
He also hasn't hit double-digit sacks in any of his five seasons. There is a lot of potential there for Phillips and what he can bring to Carolina's defense but if this turns out to be a 'bust' signing it could set the Panthers back a bit in what will be a very important 2026 season.
Let's hope that's not the case and Phillips can bring a new element to this defense that they have needed.
Continue reading...
