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Mike Kaye - Panthers beat writer

@mikekayefootball

Covers the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer; Co-host of “Processing Blue: A Panthers Podcast”

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Latest posts by Mike Kaye - Panthers beat writer @mikekayefootball

Probably the ***favorite*** to start

10.03.2026 23:54 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
Carolina Panthers free agency live tracker Day 2: Veteran center agrees to terms The Panthers made a huge splash early on the free agency market. But there’s still plenty of work to do. Follow along here.

The #Panthers have added Luke Fortner to their free-agent haul.

Read more on the new center in Carolina: www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

10.03.2026 23:53 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

The #Panthers agreed to terms with a C Luke Fortner on a 1-year deal, per a league source.

Fortner has spilt his career between JAX and NO.

Same Jaguars draft class as Devin Lloyd.

10.03.2026 23:20 👍 9 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

I think I might rewatch Weapons tonight — I haven’t seen Sam Martin punt in two months.

10.03.2026 22:34 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

The waiving of DT Popo Aumavae and the release of A'Shawn Robinson officially hit the wire this afternoon.

Robinson is free to sign anywhere immediately, Aumavae is subject to waivers. #Panthers

10.03.2026 21:46 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

It's called #NnamdiSilence.

10.03.2026 21:44 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Following the compensatory pick handouts, here is where the #Panthers will officially pick in each round (barring trades):

RD1: 19
RD2: 51
RD3: 83
RD4: 119
RD5 (2): 158 (MIN), 159
RD6: 200

10.03.2026 21:44 👍 10 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

The #Panthers have re-signed WR David Moore.

10.03.2026 20:26 👍 6 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
Panthers pre-free agency NFL mock draft: When will Carolina select O-lineman? The Panthers haven’t selected an offensive lineman during the first two years of the Canales-Morgan era. That will change this offseason.

Given the moves that have been made so far by the #Panthers, feels like @theobserver pre-free agency mock draft would make a lot of sense still.

Enjoy: www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

10.03.2026 19:20 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
Carolina Panthers free agency live tracker Day 2: What does Dan Morgan still need? The Panthers made a huge splash early on the free agency market. But there’s still plenty of work to do. Follow along here.

Flip the page to Day 2 of the negotiation window with @charlotteobserver.com.

A brand new live tracker for the #Panthers movement on the market.

@alexzietlow05.bsky.social and I will have you covered with updates throughout Tuesday right here:
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

10.03.2026 11:48 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
From Clemson to NFL first-round pick to the Panthers, Simmons finds a ‘nice’ fit Isaiah Simmons is in his first month with the Panthers. Simmons told The Charlotte Observer he wishes he had a similar setup his entire career.

Back in January, former Clemson standout Isaiah Simmons told me that he was grateful to be working full-time at safety in Carolina.

Today, as a league source confirms, he's reached a new deal with the #Panthers. @rapsheet.bsky.social had first.

www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

10.03.2026 18:54 👍 5 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0
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The #Panthers have released A'Shawn Robinson to open up a big chunk of cap space.

Let's talk about it.

Plus, a deep-dive on the D-line for your reading pleasure: www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

10.03.2026 18:04 👍 7 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
Panthers release veteran defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson to open up cap space The Panthers opened up a big chunk of cap space heading into free agency by release one of their well-paid veterans on Tuesday.

The #Panthers have released A'Shawn Robinson.

The move had been expected.

Here is a deep dive into what it means for the salary cap, the defensive line and who could replace him: www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

10.03.2026 17:55 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

The #Panthers have released DE/DT A'Shawn Robinson.

10.03.2026 17:50 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 1
Preview
Panthers re-sign special teams standout ahead of free agency The Carolina Panthers are bringing back one of their depth pieces ahead of free agency. Here’s an explanation of the move.

Big news Icoom-ing: The #Panthers have brought back one of their best special teams players ahead of restricted free agency:

www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

10.03.2026 16:11 👍 5 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

The #Panthers have re-signed OLB Thomas Incoom, according to his agents.

10.03.2026 15:45 👍 7 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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Panthers are counting on this obscure defender for ‘dirty work’ in the trenches The team has added new players to the mix on defense. But the return of one longtime contributor helped them stop the run in a comeback win.

The #Panthers have re-signed DE LaBryan Ray, the team announced.

More on Ray, who has played in more games for Ejiro Evero than anyone in Carolina: www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

10.03.2026 13:52 👍 7 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Preview
Carolina Panthers free agency live tracker Day 2: What does Dan Morgan still need? The Panthers made a huge splash early on the free agency market. But there’s still plenty of work to do. Follow along here.

Flip the page to Day 2 of the negotiation window with @charlotteobserver.com.

A brand new live tracker for the #Panthers movement on the market.

@alexzietlow05.bsky.social and I will have you covered with updates throughout Tuesday right here:
www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

10.03.2026 11:48 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
NFL free agency 2026: Panthers agree to deal with Pro Bowl linebacker Devin Lloyd The Panthers reached a deal with Pro Bowl linebacker Devin Lloyd on Monday. The Charlotte Observer has the details on the agreement.

At one point today, I muttered to myself, "I could really use a mid-afternoon power nap." It was 7:35 p.m.

Anyway, analysis on the #Panthers' agreement with Devin Lloyd: www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

10.03.2026 02:48 👍 11 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

The #Panthers have agreed to terms with Pro Bowl linebacker Devin Lloyd, a league source confirms.

NFL Network had first.

10.03.2026 02:03 👍 24 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0

Former member of the #Dolphins’ staff on Jaelan Phillips: “Amazing player, amazing person. …Practices hard every day. No-plays-off type.”

Staff member with #Eagles: “He came in and overnight it seemed like he had been here for years.”

10.03.2026 00:06 👍 12 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

"He was good. (He) did well in the game he played in. Doesn't have a big, huge arm, but (sees) the field well. Will be a good backup down there. And obviously, a guy you don't worry about playing if he has to."

09.03.2026 23:57 👍 5 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

From another coach from the #Eagles' 2024 staff on Pickett: "Loved him. Great locker room guy. All the (wide receivers) liked him a lot."

09.03.2026 23:57 👍 13 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0
Preview
Carolina Panthers reach free-agent deal with QB Kenny Pickett The Panthers agreed to terms with QB Kenny Pickett on Monday. The Charlotte Observer has the details on the deal and how he fits into the depth chart.

UPDATED with ANALYSIS: #Panthers hire #youngerQB Kenny Pickett as apparent backup for Bryce Young: www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

09.03.2026 23:21 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

Text from a member of the #Eagles’ Super Bowl staff: “I love Kenny Pickett. Great dude. He was great. A team guy that players liked, too. Tough player that earned a lot of respect.”

09.03.2026 23:07 👍 8 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 1

The #Panthers have agreed to a one-year deal with QB Kenny Pickett, a league source confirms.

09.03.2026 22:34 👍 9 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

It’s not a matter of them wanting anything — the Panthers can do it as a pure clerical mechanism. I wouldn’t do it with Hunt personally.

09.03.2026 22:19 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

It's what I'm here for :)

09.03.2026 21:49 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

They don't have to kick the can down the road blindly or overtly.

They still have plenty of wiggle room. It's a matter of shaping the cap with tangible needs and wants.

Will it work out? Not sure. But it's logical. 2/2

09.03.2026 21:48 👍 5 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

The #Panthers waiting to restructure contracts until after they've reached a massive deal (or eventual deals), in theory, allows them to assess how much they need to restructure individually and collectively. 1/2

09.03.2026 21:48 👍 7 🔁 0 💬 2 📌 0