After ACC and others throw support behind 24-team CFP, the ball is now in the SEC's court
The ACC and others back a 24-team CFP, awaiting SEC's decision.
The Carolina Panthers made significant moves in the 2026 offseason by signing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips for four years and $120 million, and linebacker Devin Lloyd for three years and $42 million. Analysts praise these aggressive signings as potential game-changers for the team's defense.
The Carolina Panthers have had trouble attracting top free agents as long as the franchise has been around. So, like what was done this spring, they have to be a bit aggressive.
First, the Panthers shelled out a cool four-year, $120 million deal for edge rusher Jaelan Phillips. Then, they spent another three years and $42 million on linebacker Devin Lloyd.
While the results are still to be determined, a lot of analysts like their approach. Zachary Pereles at CBS Sports is among them, and has named the two big free-agent signings as their biggest improvement heading into 2026:
We're using "big" in two ways here. First, the Panthers went big: four years and $120 million for Jaelan Phillips, a wonderfully disruptive but oft-injured edge rusher who could take this defense to the next level. They also went big for linebacker Devin Lloyd, who had a terrific 2025 and was the clear top free agent at his position. If both of those players hit, we're likely looking at the repeat NFC South champ. This was a huge money-wise offseason and signals this team wants to compete, not just keep building incrementally.
It would come as a surprise if Lloyd does not perform well to secure the second level of Carolina's defense. At 27 years old, the former first-round pick is still in his prime, and is fresh off his first career Pro Bowl appearance.
The real question is how it will go with Phillipsâa massive investment that may have already peaked back in 2022. Injuries have played their role, but Phillips' production has taken a steep dive since his third season in the league with .
Jaelan Phillips signed a four-year contract worth $120 million with the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers signed linebacker Devin Lloyd for three years at $42 million.
Analysts believe the signings of Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd could significantly improve the Panthers' defense and position them as strong contenders in the NFC South.
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If Phillips can get back to averaging around 7.5 sacks, 17 quarterback hits and 26 pressures a season, then his contract won't look so bad. Still, he's going to have to best those numbers in order for this move to really pay off for the Panthers.
Other free agent pickups who could make an impact include offensive linemen Rasheed Walker and Luke Fortnerâwho are projected to start at left tackle and center, respectively.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers offseason: Carolina lauded for going big in free agency