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MHS831 · 2026-01-25T18:04:52Z

Projected 2025/2026 Free Agent Costs by Position (AAV)

Quarterback (QB): Top starters $40M–$50M+ per year (e.g., Kirk Cousins 4-yr, $180M in 2024). High-end backups/bridge QBs often get 2-year deals worth $10M–$15M+.
Edge Defender (ED): Top tier $20M–$25M+ per year (e.g., J. Greenard 4-yr, $76M; D. Hunter 2-yr, $49M in 2024).
Interior Defensive Line (IDL): Elite DTs command $20M–$27M+ (e.g., Christian Wilkins 4-yr, $110M; B.J. Hill 2-yr, $20.5M projected).
Wide Receiver (WR): Elite/WR1s $20M–$25M+ (e.g., Calvin Ridley 4-yr, $92M). Mid-tier WRs often command $10M–$15M.
Offensive Tackle (OT/LT): Top starters $15M–$20M+ (e.g., J. Williams 2-yr, $30M). Reliable veteran starters can range from $2M–$10M+.
Cornerback (CB): Top tier $15M–$18M+ (e.g., C. Davis/C. Ward 3-yr, $54M; Z. McCollum 3-yr, $48M).
Guard (G): Top interior linemen $15M–$20M+ (e.g., Robert Hunt 5-yr, $100M).
Safety (S): Top tier $12M–$16M+ (e.g., Xavier McKinney 4-yr, $67M; T. Moehrig 3-yr, $51M).
Linebacker (LB): Top-tier off-ball LBs $10M–$17M+ (e.g., Bryce Huff 3-yr, $51M; Patrick Queen 3-yr, $41M).
Running Back (RB): Top tier $8M–$12M+ (e.g., Josh Jacobs 4-yr, $48M; S. Barkley 3-yr, $37.75M).
Tight End (TE): Top tier $10M–$15M, shallow market often makes veteran value options around $2M–$5M.
Special Teams (K/P/LS): Generally under $5M per year (Kickers/Punters $2M–$4M; Long Snappers often at minimum or slightly above).

Top 2026 Roster Needs & Priorities:

EDGE/Outside Linebacker (OLB): Improving the pass rush is the top priority, as the team ranked in the bottom tier for sacks, with D.J. Wonnum heading to free agency.
Inside Linebacker: With Wallace disappointing and Rozeboom possibly on the way out, the Panthers ILBs have been rated in the low 50s on PFF. They need a quality man in the middle.
Defensive Line (Interior): Support for Derrick Brown is needed to improve interior pass rush, with needs for more consistent production beyond A'Shawn Robinson and a recovering Nick Wharton.
Offensive Line (LT/C): The team needs a potential starter at left tackle and a long-term solution at center, with Cade Mays and others facing free agency.
Wide Receiver: Adding explosive weapons to complement the passing game is a priority.
Safety: Upgrading the secondary with better coverage skills to support Tre'von Moehrig and Lathan Ransom.

Considering that you can afford one to three free agents, and considering that you can reasonably expect 2-3 draft picks to contribute immediately, how would you attack the roster needs? (Lets see how this goes--)

Edited 1 hour ago by MHS831

Pejorative Miscreant · 2026-01-25T18:15:52Z

I consider OL DL/pass rush and LB the big 3. Just me. I am not saying the others are not important. If we sign a WR or Safety I’m not complaining that we should be looking to fix LB etc… instead. I suspect the FO is looking for upgrades all over it’s just finding something that fits the price u want to pay/should pay.

MHS831 · 2026-01-25T18:31:50Z

12 minutes ago, Pejorative Miscreant said:

I consider OL DL/pass rush and LB the big 3. Just me. I am not saying the others are not important. If we sign a WR or Safety I’m not complaining that we should be looking to fix LB etc… instead. I suspect the FO is looking for upgrades all over it’s just finding something that fits the price u want to pay/should pay.

I am of the mindset that our needs that would cost $20m+ should be addressed in the draft. (OT, Edge, WR, maybe C depth) The others (LB, S and maybe C could be free agents.)

I am not of the mindset that DL is a huge need--but I need to look at it more carefully.

LinvilleGorge · 2026-01-25T18:38:04Z

We need to add a solid veteran pass rusher and we definitely need to bring in a better backup QB. I want someone who can come in and bury Bryce if he gets benched or misses a game or two again.

mrcompletely11 · 2026-01-25T18:44:03Z

5 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

We need to add a solid veteran pass rusher and we definitely need to bring in a better backup QB. I want someone who can come in and bury Bryce if he gets benched or misses a game or two again.

I think its imperative to bring in another vet and draft someone 3/4/5 round range, depends who falls and from Morgans comments it appears they will

jb2288 · 2026-01-25T19:26:23Z

Need a vet edge and ILB. Would be fine going young at either LT or C but not both. That being said, might not have a choice. I think Nijman is our LT next year and C a rookie. Would also take a vet safety IF we keep Evero.

HeelsPanthersCanes · 2026-01-25T19:31:04Z

Where does the rest of the division sit in cap space vs us?

My biggest concern is most free agents are going to view us as a team that was going the complete wrong way the back half of the year. Minus the anomaly of how well we played the Rams, this was a team that wasn't even competitive against good teams (Bills, 49ers, Seahawks), and who lost 3 of 4 to end a season where we had everything to compete for.

Tack on that Charlotte isn't a place under 30 year old millionaires view as a destination, vs Atlanta or New Orleans. I think the deck is already stacked against us.

I think this will be a very underwhelming free agency period, which means we have to bank on drafting well across almost every round, which we haven't done in 20 years.

mrcompletely11 · 2026-01-25T19:31:04Z

4 minutes ago, jb2288 said:

Need a vet edge and ILB. Would be fine going young at either LT or C but not both. That being said, might not have a choice. I think Nijman is our LT next year and C a rookie. Would also take a vet safety IF we keep Evero.

Bryce is going to die if that happens

jb2288 · 2026-01-25T19:33:36Z

2 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

Bryce is going to die if that happens

If he dies he dies. Year 4, need to know he can be the guy or not.

mrcompletely11 · 2026-01-25T19:35:41Z

1 minute ago, jb2288 said:

If he dies he dies. Year 4, need to know he can be the guy or not.

We said this after year 3 as well. I could spoil this for if you.

jb2288 · 2026-01-25T19:37:13Z

Just now, mrcompletely11 said:

We said this after year 3 as well. I could spoil this for if you.

Did enough for me and the FO obviously to play out year 4

mrcompletely11 · 2026-01-25T19:40:09Z

2 minutes ago, jb2288 said:

Did enough for me and the FO obviously to play out year 4

Okay

frankw · 2026-01-25T19:44:27Z

Priorities

ILB - High draft pick and FA signing

Edge - Veteran FA signing

C - Draft pick or FA. We cannot let our depth at the position return to days of yesteryear with Bryce Young at QB. It will end terribly.

TE - FA signing

As far as backup QB's go I think we should all prepare for the QB room to be kept largely intact. I don't like it or agree with it but that's the likely outcome.

pdub0702 · 2026-01-25T19:46:27Z

1 hour ago, MHS831 said:

I am of the mindset that our needs that would cost $20m+ should be addressed in the draft. (OT, Edge, WR, maybe C depth) The others (LB, S and maybe C could be free agents.)

I am not of the mindset that DL is a huge need--but I need to look at it more carefully.

This. Build both lines through draft. Skill in free agents

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