NFL Insider Hails Panthers’ ‘Bold’ Signings of Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd

The Panthers are looking to take yet another step forward after too many dismal seasons. The team’s latest moves indicate an even more aggressive approach.

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is sacked by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips (50) during the first half at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sunday, November 16, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

This is Dan Morgan’s third offseason since being promoted to president of football operations/general manager of the Carolina Panthers in January of 2024. The previous three seasons (2021-23), the former first-round pick of the Panthers was the franchise’s assistant general manager. To say he’s been busy and pretty successful adding talent to a team that finished 2-15 in 2023 is a bit understated.

Three years ago, Carolina signed guards Robert Hunt (Dolphins) and Damien Lewis (Seahawks) and swung a deal with Seattle for cornerback Mike Jackson. Last offseason, there was a lot of emphasis put on defense with the free-agent additions of interior performers Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III, edge rusher Patrick Jones II, linebacker Christian Rozeboom, and safety Tre’von Moehrig.

Oct 5, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan on the field before the gsme at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Carolina has made steady improvement the past 2 seasons

The Panthers went from two wins in ’23 to a 5-12 mark in 2024. This past season, the club finished under .500 for the eighth straight year. However, an 8-9 record not only marked the second straight year that the team increased its victory total by three, it was good enough to win the NFC South.

Still, there’s obviously some work to be done when you lose 10 games (including the wild card loss to the Los Angeles Rams). So far, Morgan has delivered in a big way in terms of addressing the club’s two biggest needs.

Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report looked at all 32 teams and used one word to describe each franchise’s offseason to date. It’s a four-letter word, and one that describes the recent approach of the team the last few years.

Bold.

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) tackles Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (20) during the third quarter in an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Titans 41-7 [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Aggressive GM Dan Morgan added a pair of defensive playmakers

“Factoring in his age and production,” explained Ballentine, "Jaelan Phillips was arguably the best free agent available this cycle. The Panthers emerged as a team capable of acquiring that kind of talent and brought in Devin Lloyd to bolster their unit. They answered two of their biggest questions with big additions.”

Phillips was a first-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2021 who spent the second half of 2025 with the Eagles following a trade. Injuries limited him to a total of 12 games from 2023-24 with Miami. This past season, he combined to play in 17 games with the Birds and ‘Fins, as well as in the Eagles’ playoff loss. His presence should elevate 2025 draft choices Nic Scourton (who tied for the lead with 5.0 sacks in 2025 with Derrick Brown) and Princely Umanmielen as they prepare for their second seasons.

Lloyd was a big-play performer and a first-time Pro Bowler for the AFC South champion Jaguars. He gives Carolina a productive performer who was seemingly all over the field in 2025. In four seasons, he’s picked off nine passes (5 in 2025) and recovered six fumbles (including playoffs). His 99-yard pick-six of Patrick Mahomes in a Week 5 Monday night win over the Chiefs was one of the defensive highlights of the season.

Come September, we will find out if Morgan’s boldness begins to pay off.