North Charlotte Today

The Carolina Panthers had a busy start to the free agency period on March 10, following the completion of a $100 million extension with cornerback Jaycee Horn. Within six hours, they reportedly secured agreements with four new defensive players and retained cornerback Mike Jackson alongside Horn.

The Panthers' approach to free agency involved careful planning and collaboration. "We do take the emotion out of the free agency room when we're making the decisions because we're able to have a very good collaborative and honest dialogue as an entire organization beforehand," said Brandt Tilis, executive vice president of football operations.

A notable target was defensive tackle Milton Williams, who ultimately signed with the New England Patriots. Williams described his experience during negotiations: "My agent was on the phone, and I was kind of in the room... Carolina felt like they went too high on their number, so they stayed where they were at."

Despite not acquiring Williams, Tilis emphasized sticking to budgetary constraints: "It's hard to walk away from a deal... but it's easier to walk away when we have standards as far as value." The Panthers continued their efforts by signing safety Tre'von Moehrig, pass-rusher Patrick Jones II, and defensive linemen Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III.

General Manager Dan Morgan highlighted preparation for free agency: "It's a matter of calculating needs, putting a value on things, and then being ready to adapt." He added that discipline in sticking to their plan is crucial for future success.