Fixing the pass rush has been at the top of the Carolina Panthers’ to-do list for two straight seasons – and the problem still isn’t solved. After fielding one of the least effective pressure units in the league in 2024, Carolina overhauled the edge room with cuts, free-agent additions, and early draft capital. The results, unfortunately, barely moved the needle.

Even with new faces in the rotation, the Panthers again finished near the bottom of the NFL in most pass-rushing categories in 2025. That reality has reignited the conversation about how aggressive Carolina should be this offseason—and whether it’s time to swing big.

READ MORE: Dabo Swinney Pushes NCAA Action as Clemson Challenges NIL-Era Tampering

The obvious names are already being discussed. Veteran stars and former Pro Bowlers headline a deep free-agent class, and Carolina has been loosely connected to several of them. But one league analyst believes the Panthers should ignore the splashiest options and instead focus on a player entering his prime: Odafe Oweh.

Pro Football Focus analyst Bradley Locker pointed to Oweh as a potential difference-maker for a Panthers defense that needs disruption in the worst way.

“Carolina’s focus should be on improving across the board, with a priority on pass rush,” Locker wrote, emphasizing that the team is further along than expected after winning the NFC South.

Oweh quietly put together one of the most efficient seasons of his career, generating consistent pressure and grading out as one of the league’s stronger edge defenders on a per-snap basis. At just 27 years old, he offers something Carolina hasn’t had in years: a young, explosive rusher who can grow alongside cornerstone defensive tackle Derrick Brown.

The fit makes sense schematically. Pairing interior power with a speed-based edge threat could finally give the Panthers a front capable of collapsing pockets rather than hoping quarterbacks make mistakes. It’s the kind of tandem modern defenses are built around.

The catch, of course, is the price tag.

League projections suggest Oweh could command close to $20 million per season on a multi-year deal. For a Panthers team that isn’t exactly flush with cap space, that’s a serious commitment – especially with other roster holes still needing attention. Carolina can create room through restructures and releases, but signing Oweh would likely mean sacrificing flexibility elsewhere.

READ MORE: Farmers Insurance Open Betting Preview: Johnny’s Winning Picks at Torrey Pines

That’s the dilemma. Drafting another edge rusher offers hope but no guarantees. Signing Oweh offers proven production – but at a premium.

For a franchise desperate to fix its most glaring weakness, this may come down to philosophy: play it safe again, or finally pay the price to change the narrative.