Following a heartbreaking loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the 2025 NFC Wild Card matchup, the Carolina Panthers and general manager Dan Morgan will now turn their attention to the upcoming offseason.

Morgan has already made his first move of the offseason, as he told reporters earlier this week that the team will be picking up quarterback Bryce Young’s fifth-year option. The former 2023 No. 1 pick played a key role in the organization’s incredible playoff run this season and will now be under contract through 2027.

However, the Panthers’ magical run this year unfortunately comes with a cost, as the franchise must reload the current roster with additional playmakers.

Carolina will enter the free agency period with roughly $23 million in cap space, which means Morgan needs to utilize his resources carefully this offseason.

To make matters worse, the Panthers’ loss last week officially grants the organization the No. 19 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. While the team’s spot may not be the worst-case scenario, this could hamper Morgan’s future plans.

The 2026 NFL Draft has quickly turned into an abysmal class, as multiple players who were considered to be first-round talents at the beginning of the season have either not panned out or are set to return to school.

Luckily, the depth will be helpful, but when it comes to finding a key first-round talent, the options will be slim for Carolina.

One of the primary needs that the Panthers must address this offseason is the pass rush, which clearly lacks firepower. 2025 second-round pick Nic Scourton managed to put together a terrific rookie season, but outside of the young defender, Carolina’s defense needs another playmaker in the trenches.

Morgan, before his squad’s playoff run towards the end of the season, was in a prime position to select one of the top EDGE rushers, including Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr., Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, and Texas Tech’s David Bailey. This would eventually change for the worse once the Panthers made the playoffs, as it may have pushed the organization out of the running for these top defensive ends.

Now, the Panthers will have to hope for one of the top names to fall, or consider taking Scourton’s former teammate, Cashius Howell.

The Texas A&M pass rusher finished his 2025 season with 31 tackles and 11.5 sacks, which could help boost his stock.

If Howell is not available or if Morgan does not feel confident in picking him, a trade down would be the best option. With Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson declaring for the upcoming draft, the Panthers could find a potential suitor for him at pick No. 19, giving the franchise additional ammo for the later rounds or the 2027 NFL Draft.