Panthers enter 2026 offseason with momentum — and financial pressure
The Carolina Panthers approach the 2026 NFL offseason with optimism following an 8–9 campaign that still produced an NFC South title and a narrow 34–31 Wild Card defeat to the Los Angeles Rams. The organization’s commitment to quarterback Bryce Young is clear, highlighted by the addition of veteran offensive mind Darrell Bevell to Dave Canales’ coaching staff to accelerate the young passer’s development.
However, that upward trajectory comes with a financial reality. Multiple cornerstone players carry cap hits exceeding $20 million in 2026, creating a cluster that limits roster flexibility and complicates Carolina’s ability to add offensive weapons or reinforce depth. If the Panthers aim to transition from division surprise to consistent playoff threat, strategic cap management must become a priority early in the offseason.
Below are four realistic moves Carolina can make to generate meaningful salary cap space without compromising roster stability.
- Restructure Taylor Moton to preserve protection and create flexibility
Right tackle Taylor Moton remains one of the offense’s foundational pieces, particularly for a quarterback like Young whose success depends on timing and pocket stability. Yet Moton’s $21+ million cap hit in 2026 places him among the most expensive tackles on the roster during a period when Carolina needs spending flexibility.
A restructure or short extension would convert base salary into bonuses, immediately reducing the cap burden while maintaining continuity along the offensive line. The move carries long-term financial implications, but preserving edge protection while freeing short-term cap space aligns with Carolina’s developmental timeline around Young.
Maintaining stability at premium positions while gaining financial breathing room represents a textbook cap maneuver for a team still building.
- Adjust Robert Hunt’s contract to avoid interior line imbalance
Guard Robert Hunt is projected to carry a $24.3 million cap hit, a steep number even for high-level interior line play. Allowing that figure to remain unchanged risks concentrating resources too heavily on one positional group.
Restructuring Hunt’s deal would ease the 2026 burden while preserving the physical identity the Panthers have built offensively. The move also protects Young by preventing constant turnover along the interior line — a critical factor for quarterback development and offensive consistency.
From a roster-building standpoint, this is one of the cleaner opportunities to generate space without sacrificing performance.
This dude is awesome. I like what he does as a pass rusher and against the run. I LOVE the effort he plays with. Needs to be a Dolphin….needs to. He’s without a doubt one of #MyGuys https://t.co/JqyjotqHAk pic.twitter.com/sX7fwCxPlB
— Anthony Testino (@Tino9322) February 26, 2026
- Rework Derrick Brown’s deal while protecting defensive identity
Defensive tackle Derrick Brown is expected to account for roughly $24.5 million against the cap, a significant figure for a player whose value extends beyond traditional statistics. Brown’s interior disruption influences pass rush efficiency and linebacker freedom, making him essential to the defense’s structural integrity.
A restructure offers the most logical solution, lowering the immediate cap hit while retaining a foundational defender. Allowing Brown’s contract to remain untouched could force difficult decisions elsewhere, particularly along the defensive front where continuity often determines third-down success.
Balancing financial flexibility with defensive stability makes Brown’s contract a pivotal offseason focus.
- Extend Jaycee Horn if the Panthers view him as a long-term cornerstone
Cornerback Jaycee Horn carries a projected $24.08 million cap charge, placing him firmly in elite-corner territory financially. The decision here hinges less on talent and more on availability and long-term durability.
If the coaching staff views Horn as a foundational defensive piece, a contract extension could reduce the 2026 cap number while securing a premium coverage player through his prime. Strong cornerback play directly influences defensive play-calling flexibility, limiting explosive plays and enabling more aggressive pressure schemes.
The alternative — leaving the contract unchanged — risks a top-heavy roster that restricts offseason acquisitions.
Why early cap management matters for Bryce Young’s trajectory
Carolina’s 2025 season demonstrated progress, but sustaining that momentum requires proactive cap management rather than reactive adjustments. Teams built around young quarterbacks must protect offensive continuity while still adding playmakers, a balance only achievable through strategic financial planning.
Young himself acknowledged the razor-thin margins that define NFL success. For the Panthers, translating that awareness into decisive cap moves could determine whether 2025 was a stepping stone or the beginning of sustained contention.
Handling major contracts early in the league year gives Carolina the flexibility to pursue meaningful upgrades instead of scrambling to patch roster holes late in free agency.
