The Carolina Panthers are heading toward a pivotal offseason. After finishing 8-9 in the 2025 regular season, Carolina did just enough to reach the postseason and now turns its attention to a Wild Card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams tomorrow, with momentum and uncertainty colliding at the same time.
Several starters. Several role players. And a few contracts that could quietly shape the franchise’s next phase, regardless of how the playoff run ends.
Complete List of Carolina Panthers Free Agents in 2026
Carolina’s 2026 free agent class is deep and expensive in spots. It includes veterans, starters in the trenches, and skill players with real market demand, making this postseason stretch even more significant for long-term planning.
Here is the full list of upcoming free agents for the Panthers:
- DE DJ Wonnum
- LG Cade Mays
- RG Austin Corbett
- LG Brady Christensen
- RB Rico Dowdle
- LB Christian Rozeboom
- LT Yosuah Nijman
- P Sam Martin
- WR David Moore
- LS JJ Jansen
- S Nick Scott
- LB Isaiah Simmons
- RT Jake Curhan
- LB Krys Barnes
- CB Robert Rochell
- DE Trevis Gipson
- CB Akayleb Evans
- S D’Anthony Bell
- CB Damarri Mathis
- TE James Mitchell
- IDL LaBryan Ray
- DE Thomas Incoom
- LB Claudin Cherelus
- S Demani Richardson
- WR Jalen Coker
- WR Brycen Tremayne
On the defensive line, D.J. Wonnum stands out immediately. The 28-year-old edge rusher enters free agency after a $6.25 million average annual value deal. His projected market value sits at $5.77 million, making him one of the most valuable defenders on the list. At his age, he could command multi-year interest.
Another primary name is Cade Mays, a 2022 sixth-round pick. Mays previously carried a $3.4 million AAV and now projects at a substantial $12.37 million market value. That number reflects the rarity of young, reliable interior linemen in the league.
Running back Rico Dowdle is also expected to be in demand. At 28, he’s coming off a $2.75 million contract and has a projected market value of $6.54 million. The Panthers will need to consider whether this investment aligns with their offensive plans.
MORE: Top 2026 NFL Free Agents: An Early Look At Some of the Best Available Players As Regular Season Ends
In the secondary, Nick Scott brings veteran experience at the safety position. His prior AAV was $1.34 million, with a projected value of $5.17 million. That price tag could test the Panthers’ appetite for veteran depth.
Linebacker Christian Rozeboom is another name to keep an eye on. He’s entering free agency at 28 with a projected value of $3.05 million, up from his previous $2.5 million annual salary. He has the potential to be a solid rotational player with room to grow.
The offensive line could see turnover. Yosh Nijman, a 29-year-old tackle, carries a projected value of $1.04 million. Austin Corbett, now 30, checks in at $1.62 million. Brady Christensen and David Moore add more decisions on the interior and at receiver.
Carolina also has restricted free agents to monitor. Thomas Incoom and James Mitchell both sit at the RFA level with prior AAVs of $1.03 million. Those designations give the team more control, but not certainty.
Special teams are not immune. Veteran punter Sam Martin, 35, is a free agent again after a $1.6 million season. Long snapper J.J. Jansen, nearly 40, also reaches the market.
Younger depth pieces like Demani Richardson, Damari Mathis, and Akayleb Evans round out the list. Each carries minimal prior cost but adds volume to the decision-making.
The Panthers are ranked 25th in offense with a 70.0 grade in PFSN’s Offense Impact metric.
This is not a minor cleanup offseason. It is a roster reset moment. Whether the Panthers’ playoff run ends quickly or turns into something more, the reality remains the same: The 2026 offseason will reshape this roster in meaningful ways.
