Injuries may yet derail the whole train, but it's difficult to find fault with Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan's strategy in 2026.
His decision to use a first-round draft pick on an offensive tackle was questioned by some at the time, but turned out to be a sharp move that could save the Panthers' season—along with signing left tackle Rasheed Walker in free agency. The Panthers have also recognized where their roster is weakest and made efforts to improve at those spots, with Darren Waller and Bobby Okereke filling big holes at tight end and linebacker in recent days.
Morgan is also seemingly learning a very important lesson for executives—knowing when to cut your losses, no matter how much you might like a player or how much time
or draft capital you invested in him.
The team's biggest roster move yesterday, according to Mike Kaye at ESPN, was cutting third-year inside linebacker Trevin Wallace—who will likely be replaced by Okereke in the starting lineup next to Devin Lloyd. Kaye writes:
The Panthers waived 2024 third-round pick Trevin Wallace on Sunday, leaving them with three inside linebackers before the arrival of veteran Bobby Okereke, who agreed to terms Saturday. Wallace, a two-year starter, didn't live up to his potential during his two-plus years in Carolina. He didn't create any separation in a starting battle with career special teams contributor Claudin Cherelus this summer, and the deal with Okereke made Wallace expendable...
Waiving Wallace wasn't their only unsentimental move, either.
The Panthers also released veteran wide receiver David Moore, whose presence on the roster the last couple of years prevented promising young receivers from making the cut. Head coach Dave Canales claims Moore is a great practice player, and he had previously worked with him in Seattle and Tampa Bay—but it was difficult to see what Moore actually offered on the field, especially compared with some wideouts who missed out on the initial 53-man roster.
With the waiver wire kicking in and practice squads set to form on Monday, we could see even more bait being cut—perhaps on 2024 fourth-round tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders and 2023 fourth-round offensive lineman Chandler Zavala.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers deserve credit for cutting bait on recent Day 2 draft pick
