NFL NEWS: After Rejecting Pittsburgh Steelers New $128.6 million 4-year offer 2 hours ago, it is confirmed and announced by the Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin that the franchise wide receiver George Pickens has formally accepted a trade to the Carolina Panthers on a Lucrative 5-year, $145.4 million deal Due to Arrival of WR D.K Metcalf, after a long Extensive negotiation with the Carolina Panthers general manager, Agreement Was Finalized As Pittsburgh Steelers Will Receive 2025 3rd Round Draft Picks and 2026 7th Round Pick….see more….

Predicting Panthers’ defensive depth chart before NFL Draft: How will new arrivals fit?.

The Carolina Panthers have added five new defenders during the first week of free agency, focusing on upgrading the league’s worst-scoring defense. The team has secured long-term deals with Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III and added a pair of studs to the group, Derrick Brown and A’Shawn Robinson. The Panthers can mix and match their top four players easily, utilizing each of them in different positions to counter opposing offenses. The Panthers can focus on turning around the league’s worst-scoring defense and adding another defensive lineman to their collection during draft weekend. By DIAMOND VENCES The Carolina Panthers added five new defenders during the first week of free agency earlier this month. With a new set of contributors, who can hopefully upgrade the unit, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero can focus on turning around the league’s worst scoring defense. The NFL has rightfully shifted its attention to April’s NFL Draft, and The Observer is breaking down the Panthers’ three depth charts

(offense, defense and special teams) to get an understanding of the holes in the roster ahead of the selection process. After breaking down the offense on Monday, The Observer is shifting its attention to the defense: Defensive line DE: Derrick Brown, Jaden Crumedy DT/NT: Tershawn Wharton/Bobby Brown III, Shy Tuttle, Jerrod Clark, Popo Aumavae DE: A’Shawn Robinson, LaBryan Ray Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (98) in the second quarter in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Stephen Lew USA TODAY NETWORK Analysis: The Panthers weren’t bashful about improving their front-seven group in free agency. The team spent heavily on the trenches, securing long-term deals with Wharton and Bobby Brown III in the opening days of negotiations. That new tandem will help the Panthers forge a platoon system around returning Pro Bowl lineman Derrick Brown, who played just one game last season. Derrick Brown’s absence throughout most of last season proved to be a stunning blow for the run defense, and adding a pair of studs to the group will not only improve the unit, but also provide insurance in case of another major injury. Derrick Brown, Bobby Brown, Robinson and.

Wharton should all be considered starters. While the Panthers run a 3-4 defense with their base personnel, the unit is often in nickel looks, which typically feature even fronts. The Panthers can mix and match their top four players easily, utilizing each of them in all different positions to counter opposing offenses. Bobby Brown and Wharton complement each other very well, and they can bob and weave out of the lineup as a tandem. Robinson had a career year last year, and while he should still be a formidable part of the rotation, he played a lot of snaps in 2024 and shouldn’t need to work a similar load in 2025. Derrick Brown’s return, though, will be the key to success, especially against the run. Outside of the top four guys, Tuttle took a pay cut to stick around, and Crumedy, last year’s sixth-round pick, is continuing to develop. What it means for the rest of the offseason: Don’t let the work in free agency fool you: The Panthers can and probably will add another defensive lineman to their collection during draft weekend. The Panthers have a really strong base now, but they are still just one injury away from another nightmare. While nose tackle can probably be avoided, it feels like the Panthers could use another interior rusher for the group. That potential addition could still come to town as early as Day 1 of the draft, depending on how the board plays out. The Panthers are committed to improving the trenches for now and the foreseeable future. Outside linebacker D.J.

Wonnum, Jadeveon Clowney, Patrick Jones II, DJ Johnson, Amare Barno, Thomas Incoom, Kenny Dyson Panthers outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, left, and defensive lineman DeShawn Williams, sack Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC on Sunday, November 24, 2024. MELISSA MELVIN-RODRIGUEZ Analysis: After dealing with an offseason and regular season of unknowns last year, Wonnum is healthy ahead of OTAs. Wonnum provided a big boost to the lineup when he returned in Week 10 last season, and the Panthers are hoping he can provide similar production over an entire season this year. Wonnum will be motivated, too, as he will hit free agency again in 2026, and he will want to produce in order to cash in on the open market. Clowney, who co-led the team in sacks in 2024, is in a similar, albeit older, boat. The team brought in Jones on a two-year deal in free agency. Jones will rotate with Clowney and Wonnum at the top of the depth chart as an ascending veteran. Barno, Johnson and Incoom will compete for spots in the lineup, but they all could be pushed off the roster with a couple of additions in the draft. What it means for the rest of the offseason: The outside linebacker position is still a notable area of need for the Panthers. Wonnum and Clowney are entering the final years of their

respective contracts, and the duo combined for just 9.5 sacks last year. Jones, while promising, is also coming off a career year after mostly being used as a special teams contributor in Minnesota. Also, Barno and Johnson have yet to find consistent productivity despite being homegrown former draft picks. The Panthers should show urgency with improving this position for the long-term outlook. While Penn State’s Abdul Carter is expected to be long gone by the time Carolina picks at No. 8, there are still several pass rushers worthy of a top-10 pick in this class. Georgia’s Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams are among the top prospects at the position, while Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart and Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku could sneak into that range over the next few weeks. Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. (a Charlotte native) and Marshall’s Mike Green both have some alleged character concerns that need to be vetted, but they both could be options as well. Some Day 2 options include LSU’s Bradyn Swinson, Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer, Michigan’s Josaiah Stewart and Alabama’s Que Robinson. Inside linebacker Josey Jewell, Trevin Wallace, Christian Rozeboom, Claudin Cherelus, Jon Rhattigan, Jacoby Windmon Carolina Panthers linebacker Josey Jewell, right, celebrates his sack of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray with teammate linebacker Amare Barno, left,

during action at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC on Sunday, December 22, 2024. The Panthers defeated the Cardinals 36-30 in overtime. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com Analysis: The Panthers will create some competition opposite Jewell this summer. After an up-and-down rookie season in 2024, Wallace will be tested by Rozeboom, who was signed to a one-year deal in free agency. Wallace is the likely starter, but Rozeboom’s presence should push him to improve in Year 2. Rozeboom had a breakout campaign in LA in 2024, and he is more than capable of starting in the middle of the Carolina defense if given the chance. Cherelus, coming off a season-ending toe injury, should be penciled in as a depth piece. Rozeboom, Cherelus and Rhattigan, specifically, should be standouts on special teams this year as well. What it means for the rest of the offseason: The Panthers had the worst run defense in football last year. So, while they’ve improved their depth with the addition of Rozeboom, the job might not be done at inside linebacker this offseason. Carolina is likely to keep its options open during the draft, especially on defense. If a top talent at inside linebacker is available on Day 2, the Panthers might not hesitate to add said prospect. Wallace, last year’s third-round pick, is still an unknown, and Jewell has no guaranteed money left on his

deal after this season. There’s plenty of room on the depth chart for improvement — for now and the future — at the position. Cornerback Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, Chau Smith-Wade (NCB), Akayleb Evans, Shemar Bartholomew Carolina Panthers cornerback Chau Smith-Wade celebrates an interception with special teams assistant coach Daren Bates (far right) and teammates against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Sunday, December 1, 2024. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com Analysis: The Panthers have their top three cornerbacks signed through at least the 2026 season. And while Horn and Jackson are the clear No. 1 and No. 2 on the depth chart, Smith-Wade is still developing in the nickel cornerback role. Evans and Bartholomew, who were both added last fall, will be fighting for jobs this summer. The Panthers are top-heavy at the position, but there are plenty of avenues for upgrades and development on the depth chart. Smith-Wade should see competition this summer, whether from a veteran or a draft pick, and the back half of the depth group will be pushed as well. It’s unclear how the Panthers plan to fill out the relatively light offseason roster at the position. What it means for the rest of the offseason: The Panthers have nine picks in the upcoming draft. At least one of those selections should be used on a versatile cornerback. The nickel job can’t just be handed to Smith-Wade at this point. The Panthers might play it cool on the position early in the draft because of the money handed out to Horn and