Carolina

Panthers

This is a great deal for the Panthers. Walker, a former seventh-round pick with the Packers, made just over $6 million on his rookie contract. This is a decent pay bump for him. Among NFL tackles with at least 490 left tackle snaps, Walker’s 69.3 PFF pass-blocking grade ranks 21st. The Panthers lost starter LT Ikem Ekwonu to a patellar tendon rupture during their Wild Card Round loss to the Rams last year. While Ekwonu is undoubtedly rehabbing the injury rigorously, he return date is still being determined. Panthers backup OT Yosh Nijman also retired earlier this week. Signing Walker gives them a reliable, if non-elite, starter in 2026.

The Panthers declined to tender the 27-year-old rotational pass rusher earlier this week. He returns a few days later. The contract’s details have not yet been disclosed. Cherelus totaled two quarterback pressures and 20 solo tackles last season. He missed multiple games after suffering a concussion in November and missed Week 18 with foot and ankle injuries.

Bell spent nearly all of the 2025 season with the Seahawks, but was waived late in the year and signed by the Panthers. Bell plays minimally on defense and largely contributes via special teams. He recorded four solo tackles on special teams for the Seahawks last year. The Seahawks correspondingly released CB Tyler Hall.

Nijman entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Packers in 2019. He signed on with the Panthers in 2024. Nijman took his first regular season snaps in 2020 as backup left tackle. Over the course of his career, Nijman played more than 975 offensive snaps at both left and right tackle, playing primarily on the left with the Packers and primarily on the right with the Panthers.

The Panthers released Robinson just yesterday. His new deal with the Buccaneers is fully guaranteed. Robinson, 30, totaled 45 tackles, six TFLs, 31 quarterback pressures and three sacks last year. Robinson will likely fill former Buccaneers DT Logan Hall’s old role. Hall signed with the Texans earlier today after totaling 25 tackles, one TFL, 32 quarterback pressures and two sacks for the Buccaneers last year.

Claimed off waivers from the 49ers last year, Gipson provided one sack as a situational edge rusher and played 110 special teams snaps in nine regular season games after coming over. He figures to remain in that role in 2026.

The former sixth-round pick spent the first four years of his career in Seattle. He signed with the Giants last offseason but was cut at the end of camp. The Raiders scooped him up and ultimately started him at left tackle for 13 weeks. Forsythe has 27 career starts and experience at both tackle spots. He is a solid swing tackle option for the Panthers.

Fortner has made 44 starts across 68 professional appearances for the Jaguars and Saints during his four-year NFL career, notably capable of playing all three interior offensive line positions. He brings veteran depth, although the uncertainties surrounding the status of incumbent starting center Austin Corbett could lead to starting snaps for Fortner.

The financials of the deal were not immediately made available. Moore managed only four appearances for the Panthers in 2025 due to a serious elbow injury and was made a healthy inactive for the team’s Wild Card loss to the Rams. Familiarity with head coach Dave Canales and his veteran presence in the locker room were enough to warrant a new contract, although he is likely to play behind Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, and Jalen Coker.

Simmons is a versatile playmaker who appeared in just five games for the Panthers last season. Simmons was signed to the Panthers’ practice squad late last season and totaled just five tackles in limited action. The former first-round pick is likely returning on a one-year deal and will need to battle for a roster spot in camp.