​Former Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Brady Christensen has stated that he is fully cleared for contact and ready to sign with any team as free agency approaches. The Panthers were notably active this offseason, adding high-level starting talent and some depth pieces, but there could still be one more signing on general manager Scott Fitterer’s radar: Christensen himself. Since being drafted in the third round in 2021, Christensen has served as a valuable depth option for Carolina, especially when injuries and rotation calls demanded reliable depth along the line.
Christensen spent the offseason rehabilitating from a season-ending Achilles tear he suffered last October, an injury that stifled his market during a contract year. Now, with clearance for contact ahead of training camp, the outlook could shift. He has maintained contact with the Panthers during his recovery, continuing to work with team trainers until he became a free agent in March. Even after hitting the market, Christensen remained in Charlotte, continuing physical therapy through a treatment program co-owned by Panthers team chiropractor Nevin Markel, per reporting from Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer.
The expectation has long been that Christensen would be healthy for training camp, and on Tuesday he told The Charlotte Observer that he is fully cleared for contact. “I feel great,” Christensen said through Kaye. “I feel normal, ready to go — ready to get back on the field. It’s been amazing, just the whole process, the surgery, the new surgery they have. The rehab, my program, all my physical therapists, my trainer — I feel like they’ve just got me in a really good spot to be at full strength and not even have to worry about it.” With the ankle turned back to full strength, Christensen can now turn his attention to continuing his NFL career in 2026. The key question becomes whether he remains with Carolina or charts a new course elsewhere.
Notably, Christensen entered the 2026 season without a new contract, a sign that the Panthers may not have been prepared to commit long-term in a deal that would keep him in-house. It’s plausible that Carolina would still welcome a proven depth piece to back up guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt, but Christensen’s decision-making process appears more open than ever, given his desire for security and starting opportunity. He has expressed a patient approach, emphasizing the pursuit of a favorable opportunity that could come with a larger contract or a chance to start elsewhere if the right offer presents itself.
Christensen’s injury, while devastating in the contract year, does not overshadow his professional resume or his value to teams seeking interior line depth. He has demonstrated versatility and reliability as a reserve who can step in when needed, and his return to full health makes him an intriguing option for teams in need of proven depth on the interior for 2026 and beyond. As free agency unfolds, the landscape for Christensen will largely hinge on his valuation, the interest from teams prioritizing depth at guard or interior lines, and Carolina’s willingness to re-engage in talks with a player who has familiarity with the organization and its medical and training staff.
In the end, Christensen’s decision will balance his desire for a starting opportunity and the financial terms that reflect his value after a thorough rehabilitation. For now, he remains a flexible asset with experience in Carolina’s system, while potential suitors around the league watch closely as he approaches the free-agent market. His readiness for contact reopens the door for conversations about where he might best fit in 2026, whether that’s with the Panthers again or with another NFL team seeking a dependable and experienced depth option on the offensive line.