Panthers Pending Free Agent Cade Mays Linked to Cleveland Browns

Cade Mays departure may be inevitable, with Cleveland being a realistic team to poach Mays from Carolina

Dec 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays (64) runs on the field before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

With only three days remaining before the NFL free agency signing period begins, teams are preparing to identify the key positions to focus on during the offseason and for 2026 improvements.  The Carolina Panthers face several gaps to fill; ideally, that list remains manageable, but it could expand if OL Cade Mays departs.

Cade Mays is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and while he probably won’t get Tyler Lindenbaum money, Mays will warrant a nice payday for his services. Mays is universally regarded as one of the top 3-5 centers available in free agency.

Big time run by Rico Dowdle, but Cade Mays whew pic.twitter.com/jlqQ4Ec0Zn

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) October 5, 2025

The Panthers should have Cade Mays as a top priority for this offseason, but if Mays does ditch the Panthers for another team, it could be over in the AFC North, as one insider links Mays to the Cleveland Browns

The Browns need for OL Help

Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) scrambles as Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Bobby Brown III (97) pressures in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Athletic’s Zac Jackson released his list of Browns offseason targets, which consisted of 26 players, and Cade Mays was the only Panther on the list. This comes as no surprise since the Browns had one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL in 2025. 

The Browns were awful in pass protection, giving up 29 sacks on the season, and ranked 31st in the league in pass block grade according to PFF. 

So with the line needing work, of course, Mays would make a ton of sense for the Browns. The problem is that while he would get paid, he wouldn’t win anything because Cleveland is a lot more than just a few OL signings away from being competitive. 

Mays would immediately become one of the biggest signings the Browns can make this season, especially since there's so much uncertainty about the QB room over there, and the likelihood that their franchise QB isn't even there yet. 

Cade Mays' Estimated Salary Next Season

Sep 21, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) calls a play while center Cade Mays (64) readies to snap the ball during the second half of a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images | Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images

Mays will be paid more than $10 million per season under his next contract; he could range from $11 to $14 million and potentially sign a three-year deal with whoever he signs with. 

The Panthers don’t have the most cap space at the moment, lurking around the $8.9 million mark, but ideally will free up some cap space through cuts and restructuring contracts. 

🎥 Film Room: Cade Mays v ATL 🎥

Mays, Wk3:

✅0 pressures
✅0 QB hits
✅0 sacks

This film is clean, man. (Note the versatility, re: pulling to the EDGE on PA concepts.)

Great game for 64. pic.twitter.com/7sFSu6d603

— John Ellis (@1PantherPlace) September 24, 2025

Bringing Mays back is vital for the Panthers, as it seems unlikely they will go out and sign someone better in free agency. Even if Carolina attacks that position in the draft, relying on a rookie center can be risky. 

The Panthers very well could be forced into leaning toward the offensive line in the Draft if Mays and a few others leave the Panthers,