Panthers Acquire Defensive Tackle in Trade With Chargers

The Carolina Panthers have made a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers, acquiring defensive tackle TeRah Edwards for a 2028 sixth-round pick.

Edwards signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent and spent his rookie campaign on their practice squad in 2025. He was on the roster bubble for Los Angeles heading into the 2026 season, leading to his trade to the Panthers.

He had a solid collegiate career, spending his final three seasons at Illinois. Edwards had a strong senior season, finishing with 38 total tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. 

Edwards could be solid depth for the Panthers' defensive line alongside Derrick Brown, Bobby Brown III, and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips. 

Brown was a disruptive piece for Carolina in the 2025 season, recording 73 total tackles, five tackles for loss, five sacks, seven pass deflections, and a forced fumble. He is a star on the Panthers' defense, and he will need to be a leader for their unit in 2026.

Brown III could be a key piece on the interior of the defensive line, as he finished 2025 with 31 total tackles, three tackles for loss, a 0.5 sack, and a pass deflection. 

Off the edge, the Panthers will lean heavily on free-agent acquisition Phillips. The 27-year-old inked a four-year, $120 million deal with Carolina this offseason and will now be a premier pass rusher for them.

In the 2025 season with the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles, Phillips had 53 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, five sacks, four pass deflections, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. He needs to be a consistent edge rusher for the Panthers in 2026.

While the defensive line looks talented, Carolina will need their young offense, Bryce Young, Jonathon Brooks, and Tetairoa McMillan, to play at a high level to have another good season.

The Panthers have built a quality roster, and they could make a push for a second straight playoff appearance and NFC South title. While depth additions like Edwards may not seem important, they could help Carolina make a deep run in the 2026 season.