Carolina Panthers’ general manager Dan Morgan met with media Tuesday morning after the team’s Wild Card playoff loss to the Rams. During the thirty minute press conference Morgan discussed the team’s success, Bryce Young and more.
Here are five things were learned from his availability.
Taking the 5th
Morgan formally announced what was already a foregone conclusion – that the Panthers will be picking up quarterback Bryce Young’s 5th year option. Young, who was drafted with the number one overall pick in 2023, had the best season of his career in 2025 – throwing for over 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns.
“I think Bryce has shown flashes of greatness this year against high level competition. As a team we weren’t as consistent as we wanted to be on a game-to-game basis, but I think that’s part of what happens when you have a young team. You have a young team that’s building continuity and kind of figuring themselves out. I think Bryce did a great job this year and I’m just really excited about moving forward and him still developing chemistry with our receivers and the pieces around him that we got.”
Faith in EJ
Ahead of season the Panthers extended defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s contract through the 2027 season – in what was a show of commitment to the third year play caller. Like head coach Dave Canales, Morgan expressed confidence and trust in Evero’s scheme and defense.
“We think highly of EJ. EJ has a really great football mind. We love his defense. It’s a really aggressive defense. I think as we continue to add players to the defense I think you’ll see this defense come together.”
Coke SZN
Undrafted wide receiver Jalen Coker had a break out season in his second year in Carolina, capping if off with a nine reception, 135 yard outing in the playoffs. Coker is an exclusive rights free agent this season – meaning if the Panthers offer him a one-year, league-minimum tender he cannot negotiate with other teams. Morgan says he and executive VP Brandt Tillis are talking through when and how to extend him.
I’m really proud of Jalen. Just another guy who has been through adversity with injuries and has overcome it. He put the work in. He got his body right. He reshaped his body, looks like another player and it showed on the field.”
“In terms of the contract, that’s stuff that me and Brandt are talking through. Timing on when to extend him and give him a deal is all stuff we’re going to talk about.”
Best Player Available
The Panthers have several needs heading into the off season, but Morgan’s philosophy has remained consistent in terms of the draft – get the best player available.
“With the 19th pick you never really want to force a need. If it’s equal and you have two guys up on the board and they’re even I’m always going to go with the need. I think with that pick, ideally you draft best available. You don’t force a need, because in my experience when you force a need it really doesn’t always turn out that good.”
Trust the Process
2025 wasn’t the best year for wide receiver Xavier Legette or linebacker Trevin Wallace (who battled injuries), but that doesn’t mean Morgan is ready to. give up on his young players.
“I feel good about them. I think we’re all so quick to judge these guys. They’re maybe not developing as quick as the outside wants, but I think you’ve got to be patient with these guys. I think you’ve got to let them develop. I think you’ve got to let them grow. I think Trevin is still 22 years old. It took Xavier until his senior year to start developing and coming into his own at South Carolina. I think we take a patient approach with those guys. We let them develop and keep getting better. We work with them, keep coaching them, developing them and helping them out.”
Notes:
- Morgan says he and Rico Dowdle had a “good conversation” during clean out day – adding that his decreased carries were a result of the “flow of the game.”
- The Panthers have already done a lot of work on the NFL Draft, with over 600 guys on their board.
- Coach Canales will decide if he wants to remain the offensive signal caller. While he and Morgan have not talked about a change, Dan says he’s sure it will be something they discuss as they discuss everything related to the team.
- Offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu has not had surgery on his torn patellar tendon, so the team does not have a specific timeline for his expected return.
