CHARLOTTE — If Panthers general manager Dan Morgan, executive vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis, and head coach Dave Canales have shown anything in their first two seasons on the job, it has been an ability to identify needs and address them quickly.

And with the free agent negotiating period opening today at noon, that could mean some quick action.

Morgan said at the combine that they've mapped out a strategy for the weeks to come.

"I mean, we're aligned in the building," Morgan said. "We have a plan. We're going to stick to that plan. We're going to stay disciplined. That doesn't mean we're not going to be aggressive and take swings, but you know, we're going to be smart. We're going to be calculated in what we do in our approach.

"I think between myself, Brandt, and coach Canales, we're always talking about the roster and ways to get better, and we do have to stay smart and disciplined. But again, that doesn't mean we're not going to be aggressive."

Their last two offseason provide an example of what that can look like.

In 2023, the Panthers used eight different right guards and seven left guards during a season in which they allowed 65 sacks.

They responded by agreeing to deals with guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis on the first day of the market, dropping that number to 36 the next year.

In 2024, they set the wrong kind of records on defense, allowing the most points in league history and the third-most rushing yards.

They responded by making a push for defensive tackle Milton Williams, before pivoting to multiple upgrades to the defensive front seven and the run defense, including safety Tre'von Moehrig, defensive tackles Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III, and outside linebacker Patrick Jones II.

Coupled with the return of star defensive tackle Derrick Brown and an already-strong secondary of Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, they improved to 15th in the league in points allowed and 16th in yards, after they were last in both categories the year before.

So how does that approach translate to today?

For one thing, keep an eye on the age of your free agent targets. Paying guys in their 30s is not for everyone. When they signed Hunt, he was 27. Lewis was 26, same as Wharton and Jones. Moehrig was 25 and Brown was still just 24.

But in addition to staying young or getting younger, there are clearly positions of need.

Morgan mentioned at the combine that he wanted to "attack" the linebacker position, where the Panthers have historically had defining leaders. From Hall of Famers Sam Mills to Luke Kuechly with guys like Jon Beason and Morgan himself in between, the Panthers have been known for a tradition of outstanding linebacker play.

So adding to the group that includes Trevin Wallace and upcoming undrafted rookie Bam Martin-Scott is a likely path in the coming days and weeks.

"In terms of free agency in the draft, I think that's a position that we'll try to attack," Morgan said. "We're looking for guys that, that are, that are leaders, that are playmakers, and that are culture fits for us.

"So we're excited about attacking that and putting the work in."

The Panthers could also use a boost in their pass-rush, though that's true of practically every team in the league.

They had 30.0 sacks last season, which was tied for 28th in the league. Rookie Nic Scourton and Derrick Brown led the team with 5.0 sacks each, so adding to that area would make sense.

"I don't think you can have too many really good pass-rushers," Morgan said. "So, you know, the combination of free agency, the combination of draft, there's some good players in both that we're excited about. So we'll see how it shakes out. We're obviously evaluating them. We're putting the work in, and we'll see what happens.

"I don't have a crystal ball and, you know, you never know who you're going to sign, or who may want to come here."

Of course, the Panthers have a number of needs on both sides of the ball entering the offseason, which will have to be addressed.

With the injury to left tackle Ikem Ekwonu that could impact his availability to start the season and the lack of an experienced center on the roster, the Panthers have some holes to fill on the offensive line.

They've been willing to let their free agents reach the market, and that group includes running back Rico Dowdle and center Cade Mays, though they've kept the door open for both. (You can see a full list of the Panthers' free agents here.)

"I'm sure his agent's meeting with people and figuring out what his market's looking like right now," Morgan said of Mays at the combine. "And once he figures that out, we'll reassess, and you know we've been in constant communication with his agent.

"Again, we'll see how it goes and see how it plays out, but Cade is a guy that we would want to bring back if it works out for both sides."

The hours to come will be important ones for the Panthers, and if history is any guide, the Panthers have responded aggressively to those first hours of the market.