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The Carolina Panthers are headed toward a make-or-break season. Not just for quarterback Bryce Young, but for head coach Dave Canales.
Despite the improvement the embattled former first overall pick has showcased the last two seasons, the Panthers haven't had a winning record since 2017 -- a stretch that covers the entirety of team owner David Tepper's stewardship. Carolina won the NFC South last season and still lost 10 games, including a heartbreaking Wild Card loss in Los Angeles. That either puts the franchise on the brink of a breakthrough or illustrates exactly what the ceiling is for this roster.
That led to a massive splash on the opening day of free agency. The Panthers locked down the edge rushing talent of Jaelan Phillips at a hefty price tag of $30 million annually for four years. It's a bold, but necessary, play for 2025's 32nd-ranked pass rush. Can Phillips be the savior that finally finds Tepper a playoff win and keeps Canales and Young employed?
The Panthers got their Brian Burns replacement for less than the New York Giants are currently paying Burns ($87.5 million in guarantees despite a smaller average salary). For that investment, they're also getting a player who had a higher pressure rate last fall (15.9 percent to 13.1) than New York's top defender.
However, turning potential into production has been a struggle for Phillips. Burns turned his pressures into 16.5 sacks. Phillips had five. Injuries have derailed 40 percent of his seasons as a pro; 2025 was the first year he's started 17 games. He's getting a top 10 payday among edge rushers despite 12.5 sacks his last three seasons. Myles Garrett had more in a four-game span last fall.
Of course, Garrett is (mostly) unavailable. The 2026 free agent class is loaded with useful-but-flawed pass rushers. The Panthers had to make a stand somewhere and chose a player with defensive player of the year upside but also the potential to miss the bulk of his contracted time due to injury. Even if he does play, he may merely rack up pressures without results when on the field.
Carolina is taking a big swing. That's admirable. It's also, very, very risky.
Grade: B-
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Jaelan Phillips signs with Panthers: Grade, analysis for stunning deal
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Despite the improvement the embattled former first overall pick has showcased the last two seasons, the Panthers haven't had a winning record since 2017 -- a stretch that covers the entirety of team owner David Tepper's stewardship. Carolina won the NFC South last season and still lost 10 games, including a heartbreaking Wild Card loss in Los Angeles. That either puts the franchise on the brink of a breakthrough or illustrates exactly what the ceiling is for this roster.
That led to a massive splash on the opening day of free agency. The Panthers locked down the edge rushing talent of Jaelan Phillips at a hefty price tag of $30 million annually for four years. It's a bold, but necessary, play for 2025's 32nd-ranked pass rush. Can Phillips be the savior that finally finds Tepper a playoff win and keeps Canales and Young employed?
The deal: Panthers sign EDGE Jaelan Phillips for four years, $120 million ($80 million guaranteed)
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The Panthers got their Brian Burns replacement for less than the New York Giants are currently paying Burns ($87.5 million in guarantees despite a smaller average salary). For that investment, they're also getting a player who had a higher pressure rate last fall (15.9 percent to 13.1) than New York's top defender.
However, turning potential into production has been a struggle for Phillips. Burns turned his pressures into 16.5 sacks. Phillips had five. Injuries have derailed 40 percent of his seasons as a pro; 2025 was the first year he's started 17 games. He's getting a top 10 payday among edge rushers despite 12.5 sacks his last three seasons. Myles Garrett had more in a four-game span last fall.
Of course, Garrett is (mostly) unavailable. The 2026 free agent class is loaded with useful-but-flawed pass rushers. The Panthers had to make a stand somewhere and chose a player with defensive player of the year upside but also the potential to miss the bulk of his contracted time due to injury. Even if he does play, he may merely rack up pressures without results when on the field.
Carolina is taking a big swing. That's admirable. It's also, very, very risky.
Grade: B-
Other free agent signing grades:
- Colts re-sign WR Alec Pierce for a whopping four years and $114 million
- Chiefs make a splash by signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker to revamp backfield
- Dolphins' rebuild lands on Malik Willis as a worthy QB gamble
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Jaelan Phillips signs with Panthers: Grade, analysis for stunning deal
Continue reading...
