Dan Morgan: Ready to "attack" linebacker position in free agency and the draft

Feb 24, 2026 at 02:55 PM

Darin Gantt

The Carolina Panthers are seen at the combine on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 in Indianapolis, IN.

INDIANAPOLIS — When former Panthers Pro Bowl middle linebacker-turned-general manager Dan Morgan walked onto the podium Tuesday at the combine, he began by congratulating legendary Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly on making the Hall of Fame.

And then he talked a lot about "attacking" that position this offseason, in whatever way he has to.

And when a linebacker talks about attacking, it carries an extra layer of meaning.

"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."

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The Panthers are heading into 2026 with a young group under contract, led by starter Trevin Wallace and former undrafted rookie Bam Martin-Scott. But with Christian Rozeboom and Krys Barnes hitting unrestricted free agency in March, there's the opportunity to remake that unit.

Since Morgan was on the early end of a lineage at the position that started with Hall of Famer Sam Mills, and went through Micheal Barrow, himself, Jon Beason, and Kuechly, it's something he takes pride in and takes seriously.

So when he started describing what that guy needs to be, his list of prerequisites is long and detailed.

"I would say the No. 1 thing is, standing in front of that huddle, those 10 other guys are looking at you," Morgan said. "I think that guy has to be a really good leader, somebody that the guys are going to follow, somebody that the guys are going to respect. And then obviously from a playing standpoint, you have to be instinctual, you have to be smart, you have to be tough. You have to be physical.

"Those are the type of guys we want to bring in here, and he's got to fit with our culture. He's got to be our type of guy."

There are a number of high-end targets available, whether it's in free agency in March or at No. 19 in the draft, their latest first-round pick in a while.

And Morgan said he didn't want to discriminate, and could use both to fill the depth chart, both at linebacker and pass-rushers, where they also have a significant need.

"I think there'll definitely be a linebacker there we like, there'll be an edge that we probably like there too (at 19)," Morgan said. "So we've just really got to weigh that with free agency and just kind of see how it goes in free agency and then.

"And you know, I think you always adjust your plan based off what you did in free agency, but that's not to say that we wouldn't double dip at a certain position, whether edge or linebacker or both."

Both are possible, considering the need for a defense that made significant strides to get to the middle of the league last year, but still needs playmakers.

There's a solid group of middle linebackers who could make an immediate difference, from Jacksonville's Devin Lloyd, Cleveland's Devin Bush, or Philadelphia's Nakobe Dean.

At pass-rusher, it gets expensive in a hurry, and while Morgan doesn't rule anything out in a press conference, he also hates the idea of giving up picks. So even if they don't swing a big trade, it's reasonable to think there's a considerable investment there, just like in years past with Robert Hunt, Damien, Tre'von, and Turk (after making a big swing at Milton Williams last year).

But for Morgan, finding that answer in the middle, finding someone like himself or Kuechly, was the key. And listening to him congratulate Kuechly, the list of qualities was very familiar.

"Couldn't go to a more deserving guy," Morgan said. "The competitor, the instincts, the playmaking ability, and then the person he is off the field. It couldn't have happened to a better person, so, really happy for Luke."

Now he just needs to go find someone to take the next spot in line.

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Luke Kuechly smiles after being announced for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2026 during football's NFL Honors award show in San Francisco, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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Adam Vinatieri, from left, sits with Luke Kuechly, Larry Fitzgerald, Roger Craig and Drew Brees after being announced for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2026 during football's NFL Honors award show in San Francisco, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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Adam Vinatieri, from left, stands with Luke Kuechly, Larry Fitzgerald, Roger Craig and Drew Brees after being announced for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2026 during football's NFL Honors award show in San Francisco, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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