Jeremy Fowler: Don’t be surprised if Carolina makes some big moves on defense

[csx]

Sign Wagner and draft one in the second or third round.

[shaqattaq]

On 3/1/2026 at 10:54 AM, TheSpecialJuan said:

Jeremy Fowler: Don’t be surprised if Carolina makes some big moves on defense. 

Mentions Devin Lloyd as an ideal fit in the middle. 

https://x.com/panthersontap/status/2028101193394713026?s=46&t=xeIgh_-Vr2aKxBkBJdfnKA

Mentions slot CB as a high need, not sure I agree. I thought Smith Wade was decent and we have Thornton coming back from injury who was improving a bunch. I'm never above trying to improve...just wouldn't call it s high need.

[strato]

15 hours ago, flagfootballcoach28 said:

Plus, the fact that the Jags didn’t pick up his 5th year option begs the question why not? A little strange for the projected top FA ILB, former 1st rounder to not have his 5th year option picked up. Maybe they know something that we don’t? Also, he saved by far his best season for a contract year.. Maybe it’s all nothing and he turns out to be a great FA signing, but there’s a few things with Devin Lloyd that would make me hesitant to pay him 20 mill a year. 

That is discussed a little in this thread, it got pushed down off the first page:

 

[CanadianCat]

On 3/1/2026 at 11:41 AM, mrcompletely11 said:

we are going to fug ourselves with the cap for years arent we?  I feel it coming

I listened to the Tillis interview and he seems like a super smart guy. Said that him and his team are always looking 2-3 years in the future( as they should be). Honestly I think we have a really good FO. 

Also... it also seems like its hard to fug us the cap.. too many teams (Saints) were talked about going to cap hell and nothing happened. CAP just takes creative accounting.  

[Basbear]

Just now, CanadianCat said:

I listened to the Tillis interview and he seems like a super smart guy. Said that him and his team are always looking 2-3 years in the future( as they should be). Honestly I think we have a really good FO. 

Also... it also seems like its hard to fug us the cap.. too many teams (Saints) were talked about going to cap hell and nothing happened. CAP just takes creative accounting.  

Panthers have 85 million in cap space for 2027, they could use a portion of that for signing FAs now. Simple EX, longer years with high guarantee/signing bonus. 30 million SB over 5 years is 6 million + min sal(1.__) thus the cap number for year one is 7.2. Year two or 2027 when the 85 million is there, base jumps up 10 + 6 pro-rated SB= 16 million cap number. 

I believe they have many plans. If certain players agree to their numbers, you could see some contracts that use future tricks to borrow from 27+ to land 26 FAs. 

I think the main plan is one big fish either Lloyd or a edge or even a LT. then wait for 2nd wave when prices drop hard. Sign about 4-10 bargain bin players and head to the draft with around 27 spots open....

[frankw]

Guys the Saints did indeed go to cap hell they just managed it afterwards better than we did and that's after losing a hall of fame QB and coach.

Do not twist yourself into a pretzel thinking us kicking cans down the road is going to work out splendidly.