CHARLOTTE — The new league year began Wednesday afternoon, allowing the Panthers to start doing official business.
And they did a lot of it.
The team has agreed to terms with five free agents from other teams and five of their own this week, solidifying the depth chart and checking off a few major needs.
The new faces include outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips, linebacker Devin Lloyd, quarterback Kenny Pickett, center Luke Fortner, and tackle Stone Forsythe.
The deals aren't official until they arrive here, pass a physical, and sign.
But landing Phillips and Lloyd provides upgrades to a defense that jumped from 32nd to 16th in the league in a season.
The 26-year-old Phillips adds the kind of elite pass-rush talent that isn't often available at any price. He had 5.0 sacks last year with the midseason trade from Miami to Philadelphia, but he also had 61 quarterback pressures, which was 11th in the league.
The Panthers tied for 28th in the league in sacks last season with 30.0, and were led by rookie outside linebacker Nic Scourton and defensive tackle Derrick Brown with 5.0 each.
Lloyd brings a new signal-caller to the middle of the defense, and the kind of credentials they've lacked since a recent Hall of Fame selection retired.
With the Jaguars last year, Lloyd earned All-Pro honors after a five-interception season (the Panthers have had just two interceptions from linebackers in the last two years). He also adds coverage ability to a unit that needed a boost there.
Those were the big ones, but they also added three others to key roles.
Pickett brings a younger and more athletic option at backup quarterback, Fortner fills the void at center created by Cade Mays leaving for Detroit and Austin Corbett hitting free agency, and Forsythe adds depth at tackle with Ikem Ekwonu recovering from a torn patellar tendon and Yosh Nijman hitting the market.
Coupled with bringing back several of their own — including wide receiver David Moore, safety Isaiah Simmons, outside linebacker and special teamer Thomas Incoom, defensive end LaBryan Ray, and cornerback Robert Rochell — it's been a busy week.
In addition to Mays leaving for Detroit, running back Rico Dowdle reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with the Steelers.
You can see the full list of free agents here, and stay up-to-date by refreshing the tracker here.
See the former Philadelphia Eagle in action.
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips (50) celebrates a fumble recovery against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips celebrates after an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips (50) celebrates his sack of Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips (50) celebrates his sack of Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips (50) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Philadelphia Eagles' Jaelan Phillips walks to the sidelines before the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips reacts during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips in action during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips (50) in action against Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle Stone Forsythe (70) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Philadelphia.. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Philadelphia Eagles' Jaelan Phillips warms up before an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips (50) rushes during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Washington Commanders quarterback Josh Johnson (14) throws the ball over Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips (50) during an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Buffalo Bills' Ray Davis, center, tries to get past Philadelphia Eagles' Jaelan Phillips, left, and Zack Baun during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) celebrates sacking San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy with Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips (50) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips (50) in action against San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Colton McKivitz (68) during the first half of an NFL wild card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
