The Panthers are parting ways with a veteran defensive lineman.
The team announced the release of defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson on Tuesday afternoon. Robinson had one year left on his contract in Carolina.
Robinson’s departure will clear a little more than $10 million in cap space for the coming season. They will retain a little over $2 million in dead money as well.
Robinson played in 33 games over the last two seasons. He had 145 tackles, eight sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in that action and he also had three tackles in the playoffs last season.
Derrick Brown, Tershawn Wharton, Bobby Brown, and Cam Jackson remain on hand at defensive tackle.
The Panthers added a couple of big names to their defense on Monday and they announced that fans will have to pay a bit more to watch Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd play their home games on Tuesday.
In a letter to season ticket holders, the Panthers announced, via Alex Zietlow of the Charlotte Observer, that the “overall blended ticket price” for seats at Bank of America Stadium will increase by 12 percent for the 2026 season. The team said their average ticket price is projected to be the 23rd-highest in the league.
It’s the third straight season that the Panthers have increased ticket prices. They went up by four percent in 2024 and six percent last year.
The Panthers will host the Falcons, Saints, Buccaneers, Bears, Lions, Ravens, Bengals, Seahawks and Broncos during the 2026 season.
The Panthers added players like Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd to their defense on Monday and they announced the return of a couple of their own defensive players on Tuesday.
They have re-signed defensive lineman LaBryan Ray and cornerback Robert Rochell. They did not announce the terms of either deal.
Ray was on track for restricted free agency after playing in 46 games for the Panthers over the last three years. He has 73 tackles and a sack over his time in Carolina.
Rochell split last season between the Cowboys and Panthers. He appeared in four games once joining the Panthers and has 30 tackles, an interception and three fumble recoveries in 54 career games.
The Panthers have made another move to improve their defense.
Via Mike Garafolo of NFL Media, Carolina has agreed to terms with former Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd. Per the report, it’s a three-year, $45 million deal. Of the amount, $25 million is guaranteed.
A first-round pick in 2022, the Jaguars decided after three seasons not to pick up his fifth-year option. With 2025 becoming a contract year, Lloyd made the Pro Bowl and landed on the All-Pro second team.
The Panthers signed Eagles edge rusher Jaelan Phillips early in the day.
Lloyd’s biggest play in 2025 happened in the Monday night win over the Chiefs. He dropped into coverage near the goal line, intercepted quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown.
Three pumps for three rivers. (We know, we know. It was only two.)
Panthers running back Rico Dowdle, who signed a one-year deal in Carolina a year ago, has agreed to terms with the Steelers, per Jordan Schultz.
Terms have not yet been reported.
Earlier today, Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell, the team’s MVP in 2025, agreed on a two-year, $14 million contract with the Buccaneers.
In 2025, Dowdle had 1,076 rushing yards and 297 receiving yards in 17 regular-season games. In Week 5 and Week 6, he had back-to-back games with more than 200 yards from scrimmage.
Dowdle signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Panthers a year ago, after spending his first four seasons with the Cowboys. During his final year in Dallas, Dowdle had 1,079 rushing yards.
