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PFF Makes Plain Carolina Panthers' Biggest Offseason Priority

The Carolina Panthers and 29 other teams are already looking ahead to 2026. It’s a no-brainer who the NFC South champions should retain sooner than later.
Russell Baxter|
Jan 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (18) makes a catch against Los Angeles Rams safety Kamren Kinchens (26) in the second half during the NFC Wild Card Round game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Jan 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (18) makes a catch against Los Angeles Rams safety Kamren Kinchens (26) in the second half during the NFC Wild Card Round game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

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Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers’ general manager Dan Morgan did a solid job last offseason adding talent and bringing the franchise back from two troubling seasons. The team did finish below .500 in 2025 for the eighth consecutive year, but the good news was that Dave Canales’s club finished 8-9 and won the NFC South for the first time since 2015. It was certainly a sign of progress after the Panthers were a combined 7-27 from 2023-24.

Now it’s back to business for the club. Via Spotrac, Morgan has numerous decisions to make on the team’s current personnel in terms of pending unrestricted (20), restricted (4), and exclusive rights (2) free agents. There are two wide receivers in the latter category. Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus notes that Jalen Coker is Carolina’s highest-graded potential free agent.

“The Panthers’ passing game didn’t excel as many anticipated this year,” explained Locker, “placing 26th in EPA per play. In large part, Coker’s availability influenced those results. The second-year wideout played just 498 snaps—all in Week 7 or later—but was efficient when on the field, yielding a 75.3 PFF receiving grade with a 116.7 passer rating when targeted."

Jalen Coke
Jan 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (18) scores defended by Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl (3) during the second half of the NFC Wild Card Round game between the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Rams at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

“The good news for Carolina is that Coker,” added Locker, “should be retained as an exclusive rights free agent, presumably giving Bryce Young another young weapon back in the saddle.”

In the team’s final 11 games, the former undrafted free agent totaled 33 catches for 394 yards and three scores. He followed that up with nine receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers’ 34-31 wild card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Coker has no negotiation power being an ERFA, however the underrated performer has perhaps earned more than just a one-year deal after his second solid campaign.

Morgan struck gold last April with the eighth overall selection in wideout Tetairoa McMillan, however 2024 first-rounder Xavier Legette has yet to make a steady impact. Meanwhile, Coker is an emerging player that reached the end zone in four of his last six overall appearances.

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Russell Baxter
RUSSELL BAXTER

Russell S. Baxter has been writing and researching the game of football for more than 40 years, and on numerous platforms. That includes television, as he spent more than two decades at ESPN, and was part of shows that garnered five Emmy Awards. He also spent the 2015 NFL season with Thursday Night Football on CBS/NFLN.