​The article uses the familiar saying about where your treasure is, there your heart will be, and applies it to NFL teams to reveal priorities by examining spending across positions. Focusing on the Carolina Panthers, it breaks down their roster investments and compares them to other teams using Spotrac data.
Quarterback: $18.04 million (22nd). The Panthers’ QB situation isn’t strong, but the 2026 cost is relatively light. Bryce Young’s cap hit is just over $12 million this year, with the potential to rise to about $25.9 million next season if he remains under the fifth-year option through 2027. Primary backup Kenny Pickett costs $4 million, while Will Grier and undrafted rookie Haynes King contribute the remainder.
Running back: $14.06 million (13th). Chuba Hubbard accounts for nearly $7.5 million, the largest single cap hit. They let Rico Dowdle walk, leaving 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks and his $2.3 million cap hit as the next-biggest on the depth chart after Hubbard. AJ Dillon is at veteran minimum, and 2025 fourth-rounder Trevor Etienne is still on his rookie deal.
Wide receiver: $24.43 million (23rd). If Xavier Legette steps up and Jalen Coker stays healthy, Carolina could have a strong bargain scenario at receiver. Tetairoa McMillan leads the group on a rookie contract of about $6.43 million, followed by Coker at $3.84 million and Legette at $3.37 million. The only notable free-agent addition is John Metchie III at roughly $1.9 million, with rookie Chris Brazzell II even cheaper.
Tight end: $12.82 million (22nd). The tight end corps is arguably the weakest in production but remains affordable. Veteran Tommy Tremble carries the largest cap hit at $8 million, while Ja’Tavion Sanders, Mitchell Evans, Feleipe Franks and James Mitchell cost the team very little.
Offensive line: $100.49 million (1st). This is the Panthers’ top priority in spending. From left to right, Ikem Ekwonu commands $17.56 million on a fifth-year option; Damien Lewis sits at $16.72 million; Luke Fortner is the cheapest starter at $2.75 million in 2026; Robert Hunt is $24.3 million; and Taylor Moton is just over $21.1 million. The offseason also added backups such as Rasheed Walker, Stone Forsythe and Joshua Gray, plus draftees Monroe Freeling ($3.8 million) and center Sam Hecht ($1 million). It’s clear the line is the organization’s main focus, driven in part by Young’s physical limitations.