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Carolina Panthers (4-4) Chance to make playoffs: 15.4% Projected first-round draft slot: No. 12 Adding, subtracting or sitting it out? Carolina has cap space -- $23.7 million, per Roster Management System -- and could use help at all three levels of the defense. The Panthers are a could-go-either-way team, and whether they add or subtract could depend on whether they're 5-4 or 4-5 after Sunday's game in Green Bay. -- Graziano Key position of need: Inside linebacker. The Panthers rank last in DVOA against tight ends, and Christian Rozeboom has the highest broken tackle against rate among regular off-ball linebackers, according to Sports Info Solutions. -- Schatz Who could be on the move? Running back Chuba Hubbard. There's really no interest in trading Hubbard, and the Panthers aren't expected to be aggressive. But with the emergence of Rico Dowdle, confidence in rookie Trevor Etienne and the return of Jonathon Brooks next season, you could make a case for listening to trade offers for Hubbard and his four-year, $33.2 million contract. -- David Newton Who could be targeted? Titans edge rusher Arden Key. The Panthers' 31.1% pass rush win rate ranks 31st in the NFL, and the edge rusher group has been a big reason why. Though Carolina isn't really in a position to spend future resources for a short-term contract, there's another reason why this could make sense. The Titans have the most 2026 cap space ($113 million) of any team, per OverTheCap.com, which means they probably will be spenders in free agency and unable to get a compensatory pick for losing Key. The Panthers could deal a pick for Key now and then recoup some of the value via a comp pick because they have $31 million in cap space next year (or they could re-sign Key if they like what he brings to them). He has a 22.5% pass rush win rate at edge this season, which would rank fifth best if he had played enough to qualify. -- Walder

WR Diontae Johnson to the Ravens Baltimore Ravens got: WR Diontae Johnson, 2025 sixth-round pick Carolina Panthers got: 2025 fifth-round pick Trade date: Oct. 29 Original grade for the Ravens: A New grade for the Ravens: C Original grade for the Panthers: D New grade for the Panthers: B+ I didn't understand this deal when it was made. Johnson was decent for Carolina (357 receiving yards in seven games), had previously demonstrated a high-end ability to get open and looked like a valuable addition to the Ravens' receiver room. And the cost to acquire him -- a fifth- and sixth-round pick swap -- was nothing compared to Johnson's talent. What I didn't know at the time was that Johnson was in the midst of flaming himself out of the league. After playing 39 snaps and having one reception for the Ravens, the team suspended him for a December game after he refused to enter the team's contest against the Eagles. Later that month, the Ravens waived him. Johnson was then picked up by the Texans and played two games for them -- including a wild-card win over the Chargers -- and caught three passes. The Texans cut Johnson before the divisional round. He was claimed by the Ravens in an attempt to land a compensatory pick for him as a pending unrestricted free agent. He signed with the Browns this offseason but failed to make the team, despite Cleveland needing receiving talent. In retrospect, it's clear there were off-field factors at play that led to Carolina deciding it was ready to move on. That explains not just the trade, but the return. This was clearly a failed deal for Baltimore, but the cost was minimal -- hence the "C" I handed it on the regrade.

As for the other 20 Panthers who are eligible to become unrestricted free agents, here is the likelihood each will be re-signed: QB Andy Dalton: Likely. He's been instrumental in Bryce Young's growth. Their relationship is strong, and he's still capable of winning games. C Austin Corbett: Unlikely. He wants to go to a team where he's the unquestioned starter, and Carolina has a younger, cheaper option in Cade Mays. OL Brady Christensen: Unlikely. He was invaluable as the sixth man but has proved he can be a starter, so he'll get more money elsewhere. TE Tommy Tremble: Likely. Second-year player Ja'Tavion Sanders is the future, but Tremble is a proven contributor. TE Ian Thomas: Unlikely. Being the team's best blocking tight end won't be enough to keep his job. TE Feleipe Franks: Maybe. He should be an affordable option. WR David Moore: Likely. A low-cost veteran who's been with Canales in Seattle, Tampa Bay and Carolina. RB Mike Boone: Unlikely. He wasn't the go-to back when Chuba Hubbard's season ended and the team needs to upgrade the depth. DE DeShawn Williams: Unlikely. He had only 16 tackles and half a sack for a defense that ranked last in the NFL. OLB Cam Gill: Unlikely. He could be kept for depth, but this defense will get an overhaul, particularly at OLB. CB Michael Jackson: Likely. Carolina wants to upgrade opposite Jaycee Horn, but Jackson played well enough to get another deal. CB Caleb Farley: Maybe. The former first-rounder showed some promise and wants to remain close to home, so he could offer depth at an affordable contract. S Xavier Woods: Unlikely. His unnecessary roughness penalties were piling up, so don't be surprised by an upgrade here. S Jordan Fuller: Maybe. But the Panthers have a younger player in Demani Richardson they want to get a look at. S Nick Scott: Maybe. He knows the system but could be a casualty in the Panthers' defensive upgrades. S Sam Franklin Jr: Likely. He is a key special teams member. S Lonnie Johnson Jr: Unlikely. Another player who could move on as part of the defensive upgrades. P Johnny Hekker: Maybe. He is a proven veteran but ranked 29th in yards per punt (45.7) and 17th in net yards per punt (41.5), so much will depend on price. K Eddy Pineiro: Unlikely. Carolina didn't pay him what he wanted last year, and he ranked 22nd in field goal percentage (84.6%). LS JJ Jansen: Likely. At 39, he's still one of the best in the business. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43586063/nfl-carolina-panthers-shaq-thompson-free-agent

https://x.com/JFowlerESPN/status/1842566261563400550

Former Lions CB Jerry Jacobs

https://x.com/panthersontap/status/1745065583287128407?s=46&t=xeIgh_-Vr2aKxBkBJdfnKA

Info on ESPN's side broadcast featuring Peyton and Eli "announcing" some of the MNF games this season “It is kind of like you are watching the game at a bar and me and Eli show up and watch the game with you,” Manning said, via quotes distributed by ESPN. “[That] is kind of the theme. We are not going to be in a booth. With my forehead and my neck, I couldn’t fit in a booth. I can fit on my couch at home and Eli can be on his couch. But we are going to watch football. It was just too good of an opportunity — to watch football with your brother, to tell stories, to talk a little football, I am looking forward to it. It is going to be a lot of fun.” https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/08/05/peyton-manning-says-his-mnf-simulcast-will-be-like-watching-game-at-bar-with-peyton-and-eli/ The Delhomme radio broadcasts have been good, though. So at least we have that.