ESPN evaluates, grades Panthers' 2026 offseason moves

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Although there's still time for the Carolina Panthers to add a difference-maker or two before the 2026 campaign begins, most of the offseason work in the front office is over.

To recap, the Panthers spent big money in free agency to upgrade their defensive front seven with pass rusher Jaelan Phillips and Pro Bowl linebacker Devin Lloyd. Those two additions have been pretty polarizing, with big fans and harsh critics on both fronts.

Carolina also went out of their way to boost their offensive line depth after injuries devastated the unit last season. The trench now features veteran signees in Rasheed Walker and Luke Fortner as well as 2026 draft picks Monroe Freeling and Sam Hecht.

But perhaps their biggest move was the one they didn't make—as the Panthers have yet to extend starting quarterback Bryce Young. That's one move that Seth Walder at ESPN really liked, in addition to the Phillips signing. Overall, he's given the Panthers a "B" grade for their off-season moves:

Arguably the biggest looming decision for Carolina is what to do about Young. So far they have done nothing, which I think is the correct choice. The Panthers have Young under contract through 2027 (thanks to the fifth-year option), and he hasn't played well enough on a consistent basis to justify the Panthers hitching themselves to him long-term at this point.

Walder also liked the three-year, $34 million extension for wide receiver Jalen Coker. The former undrafted free-agent signee will now be locked in through the 2029 campaign.

The harshest criticism, however, was reserved for Lloyd:

I went into free agency expecting to be quite down on Lloyd's signing. While he made impactful plays last season, Jacksonville didn't trust him to stay on the field for all snaps, which is a red flag. But he got less than I thought he would, so while I don't love the deal it's not terrible, either.

If their big investment in Lloyd doesn't pay off, it will be a painful blow to Carolina's defense. The same goes for Phillips and the massive contract they gave him to help bring their pass rush out of the NFL's basement.

One thing the Panthers aren't getting enough credit for is the resources they put into improving their offensive line—especially signing Walker in free agency and using a first-round draft pick on Freeling. If that group lives up to their status as the most expensive in the NFL, they will help pull head coach Dave Canales' offense up to a new level.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: ESPN evaluates, grades Panthers' 2026 offseason moves

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