Addressing the defense is the Carolina Panthers’ top priority this offseason, and landing top free agents often comes at a steep price.
General manager Dan Morgan showed a willingness to spend big during his first recruitment period, investing heavily in the offensive line by signing Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis to solidify the starting guard positions. This move was widely praised, and a similar approach on defense could help Carolina achieve better roster balance. While the upcoming draft offers a strong class of defensive linemen and edge rushers, adding a proven veteran alongside Derrick Brown could elevate the Panthers into NFC South contention.
One high-profile player linked to Carolina is Milton Williams, though signing him won’t come cheap. The defensive tackle made the most of increased playing time with the Philadelphia Eagles this season, helping them power through to the Super Bowl and significantly boosting his market value.
Potential Panthers Target Milton Williams Could Command $21 Million Annually
The Eagles can’t afford to retain everyone, and Williams is expected to attract major interest in free agency, driving up his price tag. Analyst Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team projected that the former Louisiana Tech standout could land a deal worth around $21 million per season.
“His postseason performance will certainly help him out, as he was fantastic in the final two games of the season. Performing well on the biggest stage has historically helped players when it comes to free agency, and we shouldn’t expect anything different from Williams. Williams has just 19 career starts and has never played more than 501 snaps in a single season. Still, it’s hard to blame him, considering that he’s played behind the likes of Jalen Carter, Fletcher Cox, and Jordan Davis for much of his rookie contract. Still, he’s got the type of athleticism that is hard to find and should be paid handsomely this offseason.”
— Marcus Mosher
That figure exceeds Carolina’s current salary cap space, as they are projected to have $20.68 million available with 56 players under contract. This means salary cap strategist Brandt Tilis will need to work some financial magic to create room for a high-profile addition.
Fortunately, there are ways to structure contracts strategically. For example, Hunt signed a five-year, $100 million deal, yet his cap hit for 2024 is only $6.45 million, allowing the Panthers to push larger financial commitments into future years when they have more flexibility.
Tilis has built a strong reputation as a cap expert, earning praise for his work with the Kansas City Chiefs before joining Carolina. Panthers fans can trust that if the front office views Williams as a must-have addition, they will find a way to make it happen.
Free agency will be a critical period for the Panthers, and while budget constraints exist, a major signing like Williams isn’t out of the question.