The Carolina Panthers doled out the biggest free agency contract in 2026, but there’s no guarantee that the move will pay off.
Bleacher Report listed the ten worst free agency signings this offseason, and the Panthers found themselves near the top of the list with their four-year, $120 million deal with edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.
“Thirty million a season is a lot to give a player whose career high in sacks (8.5) came as a rookie with the Miami Dolphins in 2021,” wrote BR’s Gary Davenport.
Phillips has said that while his sack production hasn’t always been there, he still remains a disruptor. But Davenport still has plenty of questions about the Panthers newest addition.
“The fact that only New York Giants edge-rusher Abdul Carter had fewer sacks last year with more than 50-plus pressures isn’t the only issue with Phillips. His pass-rush win rate last year with the Philadelphia Eagles was under 10 percent, and he has a lengthy injury history—he ruptured his Achilles tendon in 2023 and tore his ACL the following year,” he continued.
Jaelan Phillips Offers Upside and Risk for the Carolina Panthers
Phillips landed the largest contract among all free agents in 2026, but with it comes plenty of risk for the Panthers. His best season statistically was as a rookie five years ago, and injuries and inconsistent play have plagued him for many of the seasons since. But he does play a premier position for a Panthers team that struggled to reach the quarterback in 2025.
Carolina was 30th in the NFL last season in sacks with just 30. No player had more than five sacks, and it was clear that edge rusher was one of the biggest needs heading into the season. Phillips will certainly boost the room, but his contract may prove to be potentially a bit steep based on his previous production.
Phillips is still only 26 years old, however, and the Panthers could potentially get four years of his prime if he can find a way to turn pressures into sacks.
What Could the Carolina Panthers Do in the NFL Draft After Signing Jaelan Phillips?
With edge rusher taken care of, the Panthers will turn to the NFL Draft to fill the other holes on the roster. Wide receiver, safety and offensive line remain positions Carolina could target in the early rounds.
In ESPN’s Peter Schrager’s latest mock draft, he had the Panthers selecting Monroe Freeling, the offensive tackle out of Georgia
“Freeling’s physical traits are going to get some attention this month,” wrote Schrager. “He’s 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds with long 34 3⁄4-inch arms, and he has the quicks, running a 4.93-second 40. Freeling has played both left and right tackle, too. He could be a key long-term building block for Carolina in protecting for Bryce Young and opening holes for Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks.”
Whatever the Panthers do, they’ll need to find a way to improve on an 8-9 season. Phillips will be a big part of that, assuming he can reach the levels of production from earlier in his career.
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