Gradually, then suddenly: Panthers moved quickly — and patiently — to land their top free agent targets

[TheSpecialJuan]

A behind-the-scenes look at the way the Panthers navigated free agency last week to agree to deals with Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd during a very busy but very long first day of the negotiating period.

By Darin GanttMar 16, 2026

 

[TheSpecialJuan]

The first big piece of news happened early in the day on the West Coast for one of the targets, the next happened after a transatlantic flight with a stop in Charlotte got the other one back to Florida after dark.

The day really got going when some of them were in the shower, or working out — not expecting it to happen so fast.

The next big piece of news happened while some of them were in bed because they're responsible, or pacing the hallway outside the room where it happened like an expectant father in a black-and-white movie, or sitting on the floor, or crashing on any couch they could find.

By the end of a workday that was pushing 17 hours for some of them, the Panthers finally (or again) fell asleep with two priority free agents, pass-rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd, the targeted strikes they dreamed about but weren't sure they could actually land.

https://www.panthers.com/news/gradually-then-suddenly-panthers-moved-quickly-and-patiently-to-land-their-top-free-agent-targets-jaelan-phillips-devin-lloyd

[Doyle]

I don't understand how they got this cap to spend on free agents.  Can someone explain it?   I though we only had 20 million and we still have to pay the rookies.

[jfra78]

2 minutes ago, Doyle said:

I don't understand how they got this cap to spend on free agents.  Can someone explain it?   I though we only had 20 million and we still have to pay the rookies.

Restructured contracts like Brown's

[SetfreexX]

5 minutes ago, jfra78 said:

Restructured contracts like Brown's

This, and also ''how'' the 1st year of the deal actually pays. As an example, Phillips' first year is 9M. Whereas in 27, and beyond, the cap hit is much higher at 30M+. However, future restructures / extensions can address the new, higher cap hits if needed.

A'Shawn Robinson was also released, and that created 10M in space. Moving on from Andy (eventually), I believe, will also add another 4M eventually.  

[Dave Gettleman's Shorts]

1 hour ago, Doyle said:

I don't understand how they got this cap to spend on free agents.  Can someone explain it?   I though we only had 20 million and we still have to pay the rookies.

they back loaded the crap out of Phillips and Lloyd's contracts

[PanthersATL]

One name conspicuously absent from the list of who was in Tillis' office

Good