Panthers $120 million signing named among riskiest offseason moves

Free agency got started last week and many big-name players have already signed deals. 

The Carolina Panthers are one team that has already made a few notable moves. Center Luke Fortner, linebacker Devin Lloyd, and edge-rusher Jaelan Phillips are the biggest names the team had added so far. 

On paper, these additions should make the Panthers much better in 2026. However, not everybody is completely sold on one of the team's moves. 

Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports specifically identified the Phillips signing as one of the most risky moves of free agency. Vacchiano offered the following analysis on the signing:

Pass-rushers always come at a premium price in free agency, and there’s still a gap between him and the top six, who get $35-45 million per season. But Phillips does have injury issues in his past (Achilles, knee) and he’s coming off a five-sack season. In fact, his sack numbers have been on a steady decline since the 8.5 he posted as a rookie in 2021. 

Phillips still young (he’ll be 27 in May), but this money shows an expectation of double-digit sacks and a player who will be one of the most dangerous edge rushers in the league. Phillips is good, but he’s never proven to be that good.

As Vacchiano mentioned, Phillips is now one of the highest-paid edge-rushers in the league. This seems rich considering Phillips' sack numbers have declined yearly since his rookie campaign. 

Phillips has never had more than 8.5 sacks in a season, but he's being paid like he's expected to have 15 in 2026. One positive is that Phillips will only be 27 when the season begins and his pressure numbers have been solid despite low sack production. 

Luckily, the Panthers have one of the best defensive linemen in the league in Derrick Brown, which should take some pressure off Phillips. Additionally, 2025 draft pick Nic Scourton could take a step forward after racking up five sacks as a rookie. 

If Phillips continues to put up pressure numbers like he did in 2025, the Panthers probably won't mind this deal. Phillips just needs to convert more of those pressures into sacks and he can actually be among the best edge-rushers in the league. 

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