The Panthers waived Windmon on Thursday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Windmon played in nine games over two seasons with the Panthers, recording 22 tackles (13 solo), 1.5 sacks and two pass breakups. An undrafted free agent in 2024, Windmon will now seek a new destination, likely on a practice squad.
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Panthers' Jackson Kuwatch: Taken by Panthers
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Carolina selected Kuwatch in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 227th overall.
Kuwatch transferred from Ohio State to Miami (Ohio) in 2023, but he didn't become a full-time starter on defense until his senior year in 2025, when he was named to the All-MAC Third-Team after logging 109 total tackles, including 5.0 sacks, and one pass defense across 14 games. Kuwatch served as the RedHawks' middle linebacker, and his experience on special teams during his five-year college career could help him earn a spot on the Panthers' 53-man roster for the 2026 season. He'll enter the offseason program and training camp competing for a depth spot at inside linebacker against the likes of Claudin Cherelus, Bam Martin-Scott and Isaiah Simmons.
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Panthers' Zakee Wheatley: Taken by Panthers
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The Panthers selected Wheatley in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 151st overall.
Wheatley (6-foot-3, 203 pounds) started the final two seasons of his five years at Penn State, demonstrating the versatility and physicality to make up for his lack of high-end speed (4.62 40-yard dash). As a rookie, Wheatley and 2025 pick Lathan Ransom figure to operate as Carolina's top reserve options at safety behind Tre'von Moehrig and Nick Scott. Wheatley boasts the experience to contribute in a rotational role during his first pro season under defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
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Panthers' Will Lee: Picked by Carolina
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The Panthers selected Lee in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 129th overall.
Lee (6-foot-2, 189 pounds) is a bit light and might have below-average speed for a starting corner (4.52-second 40), but he has excellent reach for press coverage (32 and 3/4-inch arms) and stood out as starter for Texas A&M the last two years. Lee had to work his way up from Iowa Western Community College (2021-22) and Kansas State (2023) before that, holding serve with each jump in competition. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero is one of the best defensive backs coaches in the league, so Lee landed in a good spot.
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Buccaneers' Christian Rozeboom: Lands in Tampa Bay
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Rozeboom agreed to terms on a contract with the Buccaneers on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Rozeboom logged 15 regular-season appearances with the Panthers in 2025, totaling 122 total tackles (59 solo), including 2.0 sacks, three passes defensed, including one interception, and one forced fumble. The 29-year-old now looks set to slide into a starting role at inside linebacker alongside fellow free-agent signee Alex Anzalone, presumably relegating 2025 breakout SirVocea Dennis to a reserve gig.
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Lions' D.J. Wonnum: Links up with Lions
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Detroit is signing Wonnum to a one-year contract worth up to $6 million, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Wonnum spent the past two seasons with Carolina following four campaigns with the Vikings. He started 37 of his 39 regular-season games over the past three seasons, recording 15.0 sacks and 10 defensed passes. Wonnum could compete for a starting job with Detroit, though such a role isn't guaranteed.
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Panthers' Trevis Gipson: Back with Carolina
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Gipson and the Panthers agreed to terms on a contract Monday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Gipson signed with the Panthers in late October after being cut by the 49ers. He appeared in nine regular-season games for Carolina while playing on both defense and special teams, finishing with 12 tackles (five solo), including 1.0 sack. Gipson will have an opportunity to earn an expanded role on defense for the 2026 season, though he'll likely see most of his snaps on special teams.
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Panthers' Nick Scott: Remaining in Carolina
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Scott is set to sign a one-year contract with the Panthers, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Scott started all 17 regular-season games for Carolina last year, recording a career-best 111 tackles along with three defensed passes (including an interception). He also played every defensive snap during the team's wild-card loss to the Rams and racked up nine stops. Scott should reprise his starting role at safety alongside Tre'von Moehrig in 2026.
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Panthers' Claudin Cherelus: Back with Carolina
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Cherelus and the Panthers agreed to terms on a contract Friday.
The 27-year-old has appeared in 27 regular-season games (six starts) for the Panthers over the last two seasons, recording 60 total tackles and one pass defensed. Following his new deal with Carolina, Cherelus is expected to operate as one of the team's top reserve inside linebackers during the 2026 season.
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Seahawks' D'Anthony Bell: Back with Seattle
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Bell signed a one-year deal with the Seahawks on Thursday, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports.
The safety and special teamer suited up for 14 games with the Seahawks last year, seeing action on 252 special-teams snaps and 95 defensive snaps, though he ended the season with the Panthers. Bell made 15 tackles (six solo) for Seattle in 2025.
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Buccaneers' A'Shawn Robinson: Gets one-year deal with Tampa Bay
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Robinson and the Buccaneers agreed to terms on a one-year, $10 million contract Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Robinson was released by the Panthers on Tuesday, but it didn't take long for the veteran defensive end to find a new home, as he'll stay in the NFC South with the Buccaneers. He spent the last two years in Carolina and logged 65 tackles (21 solo), including 2.5 sacks, three pass defenses and one fumble recovery across 17 regular-season games in 2025. Robinson will join a Buccaneers defensive line that also includes Vita Vea, Elijah Roberts and Calijah Kancey.
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Panthers' Popo Aumavae: Waived by Carolina
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The Panthers waived Aumavae (Achilles) on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Aumavae spent the 2025 season on injured reserve with an Achilles tear and will now be waived after initially signing as an undrafted free agent in 2024. The defensive tackle has spent his NFL career thus far bouncing around the Panthers' reserve lists. Aumavae will become an unrestricted free agent if he clears waivers.
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Panthers' Isaiah Simmons: Staying with Carolina
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The Panthers signed Simmons to a contract Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Simmons signed a one-year deal with the Panthers in late December, and the team seems to want to keep the former Clemson linebacker around. It is likely another one-year deal for Simmons, who was primarily a special-teams player down the stretch of the 2025 regular season. The 27-year-old played just one defensive snap last season, something that may change with a full offseason to immerse himself in the Panthers' defensive scheme.
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Panthers' A'Shawn Robinson: Released by Carolina
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The Panthers released Robinson on Tuesday.
Robinson had one year remaining on his contract, but his diminished production in 2025 is likely the reason he will be released early. The 30-year-old defensive tackle will now be able to seek a new contract once free agency starts Wednesday. Robinson is a durable, time-tested veteran who could strengthen the depth of many teams' interior defensive units.
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Panthers' LaBryan Ray: Inks new deal with Carolina
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Ray re-signed with the Panthers on Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
The 28-year-old from Alabama has operated in a depth role on the Panthers' defensive line over the last two seasons, tallying 54 total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, across 29 regular-season appearances. He's expected to continue playing behind Derrick Brown, Tershawn Wharton (hamstring) and Bobby Brown during the 2026 season.
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Panthers' Thomas Incoom: Returning to Carolina
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Incoom re-signed with the Panthers on Tuesday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Although Incoom played just 25 defensive snaps across the Panthers' 17 regular-season games in 2025, he led the team with 16 total tackles on special teams. Following his new deal, the Central Michigan product is expected to remain one of Carolina's most impactful special-team assets during the 2026 season.
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Panthers' Akayleb Evans: Staying in Carolina
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Evans is set to sign a one-year deal with the Panthers, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
The 26-year-old corner appeared in 16 regular-season games for the Panthers last season, recording 12 total tackles while playing a key role on special teams (153 snaps). After re-signing with Carolina on Monday, Evans is expected to maintain a similar role ahead of the 2026 season.
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Panthers' Robert Rochell: Re-ups with Panthers
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Rochell re-signed with Carolina on a one-year contract Monday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Rochell hasn't totaled more than 10 tackles in a season since his rookie year with the Rams in 2021, but he's solidified himself as a solid contributor on special teams. He contributed in such a role across four regular-season appearances with Carolina in 2025, in addition to two games with the Cowboys.
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Panthers' Patrick Jones: Fully cleared from back injury
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Panthers GM Dan Morgan said Tuesday that Jones (back) has been fully cleared after undergoing surgery during the season, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Signed to a two-year, $15 million deal last offseason following a breakout 2024 campaign with the Vikings, Jones appeared in just four regular-season games during his first season with Carolina. The outside linebacker will look to return to form in 2026 after he racked up a career-high 7.0 sacks across 15 regular-season games with Minnesota two seasons ago.
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Panthers' Claudin Cherelus: Tallies 32 stops in 2025
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Cherelus posted 32 tackles (14 solo) and a pass defended across 14 regular-season games during the 2025 campaign.
Cherelus racked up a career-high 32 tackles despite missing three games due to injuries. The 26-year-old was most productive toward the end of the season after taking over as one of the Panthers' starting inside linebackers in December following Trevin Wallace's placement on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Cherelus is now set to become a free agent this offseason.
