The Carolina Panthers made significant investments into the trenches for the second offseason in a row. Only this time instead of focusing on offense, the Panthers are adding to their defense, which allowed the most points in the NFL last season.
Yet, just because the Panthers made a big money signing with Tershawn Wharton, it doesn’t mean it was worth the cost.
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Carolina Panthers win ‘Panic Award’ for Tershawn Wharton signing
The Carolina Panthers struck quickly early on during NFL free agency, signing former Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton to a three-year, $45 million contract. While that’s a significant investment, the Panthers originally had a different target in mind, Milton Williams, who agreed to a four-year, $104 million contract with the New England Patriots.
Carolina was reportedly negotiating with Williams until the Patriots presented an offer that was too good to refuse. Thus, the Panthers pivoted to signing Wharton instead.
Yet, according to ESPN’s NFL analyst Ben Solak, the decision to pivot to Wharton and pay him an average of $15 million per season was a panic move.
“In some ways, Wharton looks like a fine consolation prize to Williams. Like Williams, he broke out with a career-best 6.5 sacks in 2024. Like Williams, he benefited from rushing next to an elite tackle in Chris Jones. And as an undrafted free agent who had to earn his way into a starting role, it’s understandable that Wharton is just breaking out now and that his best football is ahead of him.
ESPN’s Ben Solak on Carolina Panthers’ FA decision
But the comparison doesn’t really pass muster. Yes, Wharton’s sack numbers were better, but he had 140 more pass-rush snaps than Williams, and his pressure rate of 8.2% was just above league average. Williams also just hit free agency; Wharton was available last season and signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal, which means his new market is largely the product of his “breakout” season.
I’m not convinced Wharton has that juice. Sure, he flashes power as a rusher, and in more of a one-gapping role he could demonstrate a level of pass-rush prowess yet untapped. But this is a common error in the free agent cycle: missing on the real prize and accordingly overpaying for the next-best option to avoid coming away with nothing. The Panthers had money already set aside for a defensive tackle, and when they missed on Williams, they spent it anyway.”
Wharton will be asked to play a big role in Carolina and with how much the Panthers paid him, he’ll be expected to produce at a very high level. If he doesn’t this move will come back to bite them, costing them the chance to spend on other players who do contribute to their potential success.
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