The National Football League has released key dates for the 2026 offseason, with several events involving the Carolina Panthers and their players.
The schedule begins on January 27 with the East-West Shrine Bowl at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. The Senior Bowl follows on January 31 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.
On February 3, the Pro Bowl Games powered by Verizon will take place at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California. Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn was chosen as a starter for this event.
February 5 is set for NFL Honors in San Francisco. “Tune in to see if Tetairoa McMillan wins offensive rookie of the year, and if Luke Kuechly makes the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”
Super Bowl LX is scheduled for February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The game will feature former Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold and Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, who is a Charlotte native and Panthers fan that attended Super Bowl 50.
From February 17 through March 3 at 4:00 p.m. New York time, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players. The NFL Scouting Combine will be held from February 23 to March 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
March 3 marks the deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players before 4:00 p.m., New York time. Between March 9-11, teams can contact and negotiate with certified agents of players who are set to become unrestricted free agents after their contracts expire on March 11 at 4:00 p.m., New York time. During this period, each club may conduct one video or phone call lasting no longer than one hour with up to five prospective unrestricted free agents; an agent must participate in these calls. No contracts may be executed until after the deadline.
A full list of Panthers free agents can be seen here.
On March 11 at 4:00 p.m., both the start of the new league year and free agency signing period begin. This also marks the opening of trading for the new season following expiration of all previous contracts. All transactions made between then and midnight will be included in a Personnel Notice distributed to clubs.
The Annual League Meeting is scheduled from March 29 to April 1 in Phoenix, Arizona.
April brings several deadlines: April 15 is the last day for clubs to meet draft-eligible players at their facilities; April 17 is when restricted free agents must sign offer sheets; April 20 allows teams with returning head coaches to start offseason workout programs; April 22 is when prior clubs must exercise right of first refusal on restricted free agents who signed offer sheets and ends visits or interviews with draft-eligible players.
The NFL Draft takes place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Panthers hold seven picks overall and select nineteenth in the first round.
By May 1, teams must decide whether to exercise fifth-year options on first-round selections from the class of 2023. “The Panthers have already announced their intent to pick up the option on QB Bryce Young.”
The Carolina Panthers were established as an expansion team in 1995 and play home games in Charlotte, North Carolina. They compete as part of the NFC South division and have achieved multiple division titles along with playoff appearances according to their official website. Their organization extends throughout North and South Carolina while emphasizing community outreach efforts across both states (source). In addition to offering ticket options such as season tickets and premium seating (source), they focus on building a championship culture within their operations centered around Charlotte (source).