The Carolina Panthers resurgent season came to an end on Saturday, as the Los Angeles Rams outlasted them in the wild-card opener 34-31.
Carolina opened the game as double-digit point underdogs, but the Panthers were valiant as they gave the Rams everything they could handle. Now, the Panthers look forward as the team with a bright future in a weak NFC South division.
Much of the Panthers offseason will focus on quarterback BryceYoung, but Carolina has enough cap space to make significant upgrades to it's roster. Here's a look at some of the most pressing issues the Panthers will have to tackle before next season.
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Bryce Young's contract status
The biggest decision facing the Panthers this offseason is what to do with Young's fifth-year option, but Carolina may have already made that choice. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Panthers are expected to pick up Young's fifth-year option for 2027, which would fully guarantee Young's salary.
Young's rocky career thus far peaked in 2025, producing career-high numbers across the board and making the playoffs for the first time. That is enough for Carolina to guarantee his roster spot for another year, and it may lead to the beginning of contract extension talks in the offseason.
Ikem Ekwonu extension and injury
The Panthers' 2022 first-round pick, Ikem Ekwon, is entering the final year of his contract, making him due for an extension. However, head coach Dave Canales said that Ekwonu suffered a "significant" knee injury in the wild-card game, which could complicate negotiations.
Ekwonu has proven himself as a quality left tackle in the NFL, so the Panthers surely want to keep him beyond the 2026 season. First, Ekwonu will have to rehab his knee injury to make a return to the field.
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Rico Dowdle free agency
Last offseason, Dowdle joined the Panthers on a one-year deal, and the running back produced a second-straight 1,000-yard season on the ground. He was an important reason why the Panthers offense, particularly the running game, took a step forward in 2025.
Dowdle is primed to land a multi-year contract in free agency, and Carolina has to decide whether to keep him or replace him. The Panthers also have Chuba Hubbard under contract, but Hubbard had just 511 rushing yards this season after surpassing 1,000 yards last year.