Proposed Panthers signing adds projected $22 million weapon for Bryce Young

At the very least, the Carolina Panthers need to add depth to the wide receivers room in 2025. Luckily, there are still some good options on the free-agent market, including a high-profile wideout coming off a down year

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young. / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Carolina Panthers have made some significant moves so far this offseason and the franchise is clearly headed in the right direction.

But general manager Dan Morgan still has a major need to fill at the wide receiver position, where the team needs more weapons for quarterback Bryce Young, who is on the come up after he recovered nicely following his 2024 benching.

The Panthers have a wide receivers room highlighted by Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker, but Legette and Coker are unproven and Thielen is set to turn 35. The Panthers really need a long-term starter on the boundary, but at the very least Morgan needs to add some depth to hold Carolina over for a year.

Knowing that, Roto Baller's Dave Ventresca suggests the Panthers make a play for Chicago Bears free agent wide receiver, Keenan Allen, who remains one of the most high-profile players available.

"The Panthers recently restructured Adam Thielen’s contract so he could remain with the team in 2025," he wrote. "However, they are still looking for a true WR1 to pair with quarterback Bryce Young. Allen doesn’t really profile as a WR1 at this stage of his career, but he would be a welcome addition to Carolina’s wide receiver room. However, there is some overlap between him and Thielen’s game. This could mean it’s unlikely that Allen will wind up signing with Carolina even though it could benefit Young's development."

A six-time 1,000-yard wide receiver, Allen isn't likely to approach what he did in previous years at this stage in his career, but he would still provide an immediate upgrade in Carolina.

Allen, 32, is coming off a down year in Chicago after he posted 744 yards and seven touchdowns, but he also missed two contests due to injury and the Bears' offense was a mess.

Allen typically does his best work out of the slot, where Thielen likes to line up. However, both veterans have the ability to play outside, so that shouldn't be a problem.

What could be a problem is what Allen is looking for in his next team. The veteran almost certainly wants to join a contender, something the Panthers are not.

But if Carolina throws enough money at the veteran wideout and North Carolina native, who is projected to get a two-year, $22 million deal, perhaps they can convince him to work with Young for a season.

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