The Carolina Panthers have been connected to a significant move for a star pass rusher.
The Carolina Panthers definitely need to address their pass rush this offseason after finishing with just 30 sacks in 2025. That was even worse than 2024, when the Panthers totaled 32 sacks.
Carolina attempted to rectify the problem last offseason, signing names like Pat Jones and Tershawn Wharton in free agency and then selecting Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen in the NFL Draft.
Clearly, none of it worked, and now, the Panthers find themselves in a very familiar situation heading into the spring.
Jonathan DeLong of Cat Scratch Reader has identified a potential candidate for Carolina to help its pass rush, naming Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Jonathan Greenard as a possibility for the Panthers if he gets cut.
"The Vikings have the worst cap situation in the league as it stands right now. They’re going to have to release some guys. Greenard is almost certainly going to be one of them," DeLong wrote. "The Vikings would save nearly $19 million if they designate him a post-June 1 cut."
Why would Minnesota release Greenard, who signed a four-year, $76 million contract with the club in March 2024? Well, he produced 38 tackles and three sacks in 2025, so it was a down year for the veteran.
Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.However, Greenard is just two seasons removed from posting back-to-back 12-sack campaigns, so if he can recapture that mojo in 2026, he would certainly provide a massive lift to the Panthers' defense.
Greenard missed five games this past year due to a shoulder injury, one that required surgery. So, yes: he is definitely a risky bet.
The good news is that if the 29-year-old is cut, Carolina might be able to sign him to a one-year, incentive-laden contract. That is, of course, assuming that Greenard would want to head to Carolina.
Considering the Panthers won the NFC South division title and are clearly trending in the right direction, they might actually comprise an intriguing landing spot for free agents, so maybe Greenard would consider joining Carolina for next season.
Of course, Greenard couldn't be the only answer for the Panthers. They would also have to add another pass rusher, likely via the NFL Draft.
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