After an incredible 2025 season that saw the Carolina Panthers make their first playoff appearance since 2017, general manager Dan Morgan and the front office will have to make multiple decisions on pending free agents this offseason.

One of the names that is included in the mix is 2024 UDFA signing Jalen Coker. The former standout wide receiver from Holy Cross has quickly become one of the key pieces to head coach Dave Canales’s offensive attack over the last two seasons, recording 1,006 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 74 receptions.

Earlier this offseason, when asked about Coker and a potential extension, Morgan stated that he and Panthers’ Vice President of Football Operations Brandt Tilis are beginning to talk about an extension.

“In terms of the contract and stuff, that stuff me and Brandt are talking through,” Morgan said. “Timing on when to extend him and give him the deal, that’s all stuff that we are going to talk about.”

Looking at some of the most recent contract extensions of NFL wide receivers around his age, there are multiple players the Panthers’ front office can look at to get a baseline of the value:

Unfortunately for Coker, his situation is more unique compared to his peers in the NFL. As a former UDFA, the young wide receiver has spent two seasons with the organization, while also playing in just 23 games with the Panthers.

To make matters more complex for Morgan and the front office, Coker is an exclusive rights free agent this offseason. This means that Coker can only sign with the Panthers this offseason since he has played in fewer than three accrued seasons. While it made sense for the Rams to offer Tutu Atwell a one-year, prove-it deal, Carolina could simply tender their talented playmaker to a one-year, $1 million deal.

However, getting ahead of the curve could ultimately be the best course of action for the Panthers this offseason, especially if Coker has a strong 2026 campaign.

If Carolina were to complete a deal with Coker this offseason, the contract would likely include two or more seasons, instead of a one-year deal. As for the money, the 24-year-old playmaker may not command as much as Khalil Shakir and Rashad Bateman, but can still manage to land around $8-$10 million per year.

While it may not be ideal for Morgan to pay Coker this offseason, getting his rising star under contract for the foreseeable future at a low rate could put the organization in a better position moving forward.

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