Roster cutdowns aren't just about trimming the fat. It's also a chance to strike on other opportunities that might present themselves, which is precisely what general manager Dan Morgan managed to accomplish with the trade for defensive lineman TeRah Edwards.
The Panthers were not happy with their depth in the defensive trenches. Tershawn Wharton is still out with a neck injury that required surgery, and there is no definitive timeline for his return. LaBryan Ray's shock retirement removed another vital rotational presence from the ranks.
Morgan decided more was required, sending a 2028 sixth-round selection to the Los Angeles Chargers for Edwards.
Carolina Panthers need TeRah Edwards to become a key rotational piece in the defensive trenches
While Edwards wouldn't be a sure thing by any stretch of the imagination, the five-year college player at Illinois has the size and athleticism the Panthers typically look for in their linemen. And his encouraging performances in the preseason suggest he's on an upward trajectory.
Edwards signed with the Chargers before the 2025 season but didn't play in a regular-season game. However, Los Angeles gave him another reserve/futures contract this offseason after being encouraged enough by his progress.
Gaining 10 tackles over the Chargers' warm-up slate and improving his hand placement and discipline were big steps in the right direction. These encouraging flashes also caught the eye of Morgan, and when the Chargers deemed him surplus to requirements, the Panthers managed to strike a deal.
Just what sort of role Edwards will play immediately remains to be seen. It might take him a little time to pick things up. But if he can become a useful rotational player once he familiarizes himself with Ejiro Evero's schematic concepts, trading for him could be a shrewd move.
Second-round rookie Lee Hunter, second-year player Cam Jackson, and undrafted rookie Aaron Hall are also vying for roles. All three have some useful physical attributes, but they are inexperienced. Edwards also falls into these categories, so it'll be interesting to see where he eventually fits in.
Carolina Panthers trade grade for TeRah Edwards: B+
Morgan does not give up draft picks lightly. He prefers to stockpile assets rather than make many incoming trades, so he must see something in Edwards that others don't.
If he's right, and Edwards makes a go of things on Carolina's active roster, it's a win-win for all parties. Expecting miracles is unfair and unrealistic in equal measure, but if the interior presence can fortify depth, that's all the Panthers are probably looking for.
What comes next is down to Edwards. But he will never get a better chance to carve out a successful career for himself.
And the Panthers believe Edwards is more than capable of achieving this objective.
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