The Carolina Panthers' quiet approach to upgrading their tight end position just got a lot louder—and not in a good way. Fans hoping for a big-name addition were dealt a fresh blow when veteran tight end David Njoku signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, and the reason behind the Panthers' inaction might leave supporters even more frustrated.
Since taking over as general manager, Dan Morgan has largely ignored the tight end position when it comes to adding top-tier talent. That strategy showed on the field last season. In 2025, Carolina's tight ends ranked 30th in the league with just 638 receiving yards. For a team relying on young quarterback Bryce Young, having a reliable, big-bodied target over the middle could be a game-changer for his development.
Many fans believed this offseason would be different. Whether through free agency or the draft—where experts frequently linked the Panthers to first-round prospect Kenyon Sadiq—the hope was that Morgan would finally invest in a playmaker at the position. But so far, the Panthers haven't added a single tight end to the roster.
Monday morning brought another gut punch. Njoku, who has racked up over 4,000 career receiving yards and 34 touchdowns, agreed to a deal with the Chargers worth up to just $8 million for one season. For a player of his caliber, that's a bargain—and a price tag that makes the Panthers' hesitation even harder to stomach.
Njoku had been a top free-agent target for Panthers fans even before the draft. He would have been an immediate upgrade to a room that desperately needs a spark. Now, watching him head to Los Angeles to catch passes from Justin Herbert only adds to the sting.
If fans thought that was the worst news, Morgan's post-draft comments might push them over the edge.
"We have a lot of confidence in the guys that are on our roster," Morgan explained, signaling that the team is comfortable rolling with its current tight ends. For a fanbase hoping for a splash, that confidence might feel more like a missed opportunity.