7 Panthers Who May Be Suiting Up for Carolina One Last Time in 2025
As the Carolina Panthers shift gears toward long-term success, a few familiar faces may be heading into their final year with the franchise.
With general manager Dan Morgan steering the rebuild, the Panthers are prioritizing future flexibility and roster balance. Morgan’s offseason strategy focused on revamping a once-porous defense while maintaining a sense of stability on offense. But even with that smart approach, not every veteran is guaranteed a long-term stay in Charlotte.
The front office has made it clear: extensions are only coming for players who are considered foundational to the team’s future. Guys like Derrick Brown, Jaycee Horn, and Chuba Hubbard have proven they’re vital pieces of the puzzle. For everyone else, it’s a year-by-year evaluation — and 2025 could mark the end of the line for several contributors.
Whether it’s due to injuries, age, performance inconsistency, or contract situations, some players are clinging to their final shot in Carolina. Others are short-term roster plugs likely to be replaced by younger talent or incoming draft picks. A few may even be nearing retirement altogether.
Among those on borrowed time is offensive lineman Austin Corbett. Once seen as a reliable interior anchor, Corbett initially adjusted well to his move to center after the arrival of right guard Robert Hunt. But just as momentum was building, Corbett was sidelined again — this time with a torn bicep in Week 5, marking his third consecutive injury-riddled season.
Despite the setbacks, the Panthers brought Corbett back on a one-year deal to compete with Cade Mays for the starting center job. It’s a clear sign that while they value his experience, they’re also keeping options open.
If Corbett can stay healthy and recapture his early-season form, he may prolong his stay. But the leash will be short. Mays showed promise late in the 2024 campaign, and the coaching staff won’t hesitate to pivot if Corbett falters.
In the broader picture, Corbett is just one of seven Panthers likely playing out their swan song in Carolina this year. As the franchise leans into a youth movement, expect more shifting tides across the roster — and more emotional farewells when the 2025 season wraps