Panthers Letting D.J. Wonnum Join Lions Raises Questions

Carolina's pass rush struggles could continue after losing the edge rusher to Detroit in free agency.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 2:05pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Carolina Panthers may have made a mistake in letting defensive end D.J. Wonnum leave in free agency to join the Detroit Lions on a one-year deal. Wonnum had a strong second half of the 2024 season for the Panthers, recording 4 sacks, but his production dipped in 2025 with just 3 sacks. Still, the Panthers finished with the fewest sacks in the NFL in 2023 and could have used Wonnum's experience and potential to bolster their pass rush, especially with the team's young edge rushers struggling to make an impact.

Why it matters

The Panthers have struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks in recent seasons, finishing with the fewest sacks in the NFL in 2023. Letting a player like Wonnum, who had shown promise, leave in free agency raises questions about the team's commitment to improving their pass rush through both free agency and the draft.

The details

Wonnum, a fourth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2020, had 23 sacks in 62 games over his first four NFL seasons. He joined the Panthers in 2024 but missed the first nine games due to injury, finishing with 4 sacks in the final 8 games. In 2025, his production dipped to just 3 sacks, despite starting 15 games. The Panthers let veteran Jadeveon Clowney go last offseason, and their young edge rushers like Patrick Jones II and Nic Scourton have yet to make a major impact.

  • Wonnum missed the first 9 games of the 2024 season due to injury.
  • In 2025, Wonnum started 15 games for the Panthers and recorded 3 sacks.
  • The Panthers finished with the fewest sacks in the NFL in 2023.

The players

D.J. Wonnum

A fourth-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2020, Wonnum played 62 games over 4 seasons for the Vikings and Panthers, recording 23 sacks.

Jadeveon Clowney

A veteran edge rusher who was released by the Panthers last offseason and signed with the Dallas Cowboys, where he recorded 8.5 sacks in 13 games in 2025.

Patrick Jones II

A young edge rusher signed by the Panthers in free agency, who had minimal impact in 4 games in 2025.

Nic Scourton

A rookie edge rusher drafted by the Panthers in 2025, who tied for the team lead with only 5 sacks.

Dan Morgan

The general manager of the Carolina Panthers who emphasized youth last offseason in free agency and the draft.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Panthers will look to their young edge rushers like Patrick Jones II and Nic Scourton to step up and improve the team's pass rush in 2026 after letting Wonnum leave in free agency.

The takeaway

The Panthers' decision to let D.J. Wonnum leave in free agency raises questions about the team's commitment to improving their pass rush, especially after finishing with the fewest sacks in the NFL in 2023. The team will need its young edge rushers to develop quickly to avoid further struggles generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks.