Carolina entered the 2026 league year with a defense that had improved but still lacked a consistent pass rush. The Panthers responded by announcing agreements with outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd.
What the Panthers reported
In its March 11 announcement, the team said the defense had improved from 32nd to 16th in 2025. It reported that Phillips produced 5.0 sacks and 61 quarterback pressures, 11th in the league.
The same team account said Carolina tied for 28th in sacks with 30.0. Rookie Nic Scourton and defensive tackle Derrick Brown led the Panthers with 5.0 sacks each. The Panthers also reported that Lloyd earned All-Pro honors after a five-interception season.
Read the Panthers’ March 11 announcement and defensive context.
Mercury analysis: what changes
Phillips gives Carolina another edge threat opposite Scourton, while Brown can push the pocket from the interior. Lloyd adds a coverage player in the middle of the defense. The combination gives defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero more ways to create pressure without relying on one player or one front.
The additions do not prove that the defense is complete. The 2026 questions are whether pressure becomes more consistent, whether Lloyd’s coverage production carries into Carolina and whether the unit creates more short fields for the offense.
The standard for the season
The official 2026 staff announcement lists Evero as defensive coordinator and Dave Canales as head coach. That establishes responsibility. It does not establish that any coach personally chose one particular staffing outcome, so the unsupported language in the original article has been removed.
See the Panthers’ complete 2026 coaching staff.
What this article no longer claims
The Panthers did not publish the contract values used in the original headline. This article therefore does not present any combined contract maximum as verified spending. It also does not present one provider’s pressure total as universal or claim that a signing proves a championship window.
Follow the season through the Charlotte Mercury Panthers desk.
Update record: Corrected and reframed August 21, 2026. Originally published April 1, 2026.