The Carolina Panthers are a little light on dependable options on their 3-4 defensive front, at least until Tershawn Wharton returns from his neck injury. But the persistent rumors around Gervon Dexter Sr. being made available for trade by the Chicago Bears were not enough to move general manager Dan Morgan.
And now, the Panthers will go up against Dexter twice next season.
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the Atlanta Falcons have struck a deal with the Bears for Dexter, giving up cornerback Clark Phillips III and a fifth-round pick. Not exactly an earth-shattering trade, so it's something the Panthers could have easily managed if Morgan thought it could help.
Carolina Panthers resisted Gervon Dexter Sr. trade temptation, and now they'll face him twice
He clearly didn't think so.
Dexter has struggled against the run throughout his career. His strength lies in generating pressure, which brought 11 sacks in the last two seasons. But with one more year remaining on his rookie deal, the Florida product is also looking to get paid.
And that may have been the tipping point for many.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz revealed that the market for Dexter was hot, with the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants both showing strong interest before Atlanta came in with a better offer.
The Panthers were not among those who made an inquiry.
Morgan values draft picks highly. He's also been reluctant to make any trades since taking charge of the front office, choosing to build the more traditional way. Their encouraging progress over the last two seasons speaks for itself, but with the Panthers looking to take the next step after winning the NFC South in 2025, acquiring Dexter was certainly worth considering.
Carolina's decision-makers didn't agree.
They are content to move forward with Derrick Brown and Bobby Brown III as their starting 3-4 defensive ends. Second-round rookie Lee Hunter and second-year pro Cam Jackson are fighting for the nose tackle spot, but dependable options are thin aside from that. Undrafted free agent Aaron Hall could get a spot, but he is unproven and inexperienced.
After that, there is maybe Jared Harrison-Hunte. He flashed in Carolina's preseason finale against the Houston Texans, which might be enough to see him through. But they need everyone to stay healthy and for Wharton to get back quickly.
Otherwise, it won't take long for problems to surface.
There is nothing stopping Morgan from adding to the group. Good options will be available on the waiver wire after final cuts. They'll be a lot cheaper than giving up a draft pick and a player, but whether they'd have a similar impact is another matter.
Dexter would have been a big help. Now, they must find ways to counteract his threat.
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