The Carolina Panthers have a big decision ahead: pay center, Cade Mays a hefty raise, or redirect that money to more pressing needs. Mays was a pleasant surprise in 2025, stepping in as a starter and helping the offense find rhythm. Handing him $10 million-plus per year, though? That risks overpaying for an average player when the 2026 NFL Draft offers a golden chance to land a long-term solution on a rookie deal.
Mays in 2025: A Solid Stopgap, Not a Star
Mays’ season was the kind of story fans love, even after Corbett went down with a knee injury early on. Mays started 12 games, logged 726 snaps, and didn’t allow a single sack. He played so steadily that he kept the job even after Corbett returned. That reliability helped the Panthers reach the playoffs for the first time in years.
Dig a little deeper, though, and the picture is more mixed. Pro Football Focus graded him at 62.4 overall, 24th out of 40 qualifying centers. His pass-blocking was respectable (69.4, 13th), but run blocking was a clear weakness (58.4, 33rd). For a team that wants to run the ball and play with a physical edge, a center who struggles to move people off the line is a real limitation.
Was this a genuine breakout or just a nice contract-year performance? The grades suggest he was, at best, a league-average starter. At $10M a year, he’s a liability.
The Money Side: Too Rich for What He Brings?
Finances are the clearest reason to move on. Elite centers like Kansas City’s Creed Humphrey earn around $18 million a year. Mays earned $3.4 million in 2025 and is now a free agent. Market projections put his next deal in the $8–12 million annual range, though Panthers beat writer Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer noted that even a modest three-year, $15 million contract could be tough to justify given other priorities.
Paying near the top-15 money for a player whose average in the run game doesn’t add up. That kind of spending should go to difference-makers, not someone who had one good year as a fill-in. Overpaying here would tie up valuable cap space at a position where young, affordable talent is readily available, and especially on one of the highest-paid offensive lines in the league.
Bigger Holes to Fill First
The math gets even clearer when you look at the rest of the roster. The Panthers have several urgent needs, and locking in $10 million or more at center would make them harder to address.
Left tackle is the most obvious concern. Ikem Ekwonu suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in the wild-card playoff loss to the Rams and underwent major surgery. His status for the start of 2026 remains uncertain, so protecting Bryce Young’s blind side has to be priority one, and it won’t come cheap in free agency or the draft.
The defense took a step forward in 2025, finishing around 15th–16th in points allowed after being one of the league’s worst units the year before. Still, outside linebacker and safety need upgrades. Offensively, another weapon at wide receiver or tight end would help Young develop. Every dollar spent on a mid-tier center is one less dollar available for a potential star at a higher-impact spot.
2026 Draft: A Center Gold Mine
The timing couldn’t be better to move on from Mays. This year’s draft class is stacked at center, giving the Panthers (picking 19th overall with a full slate of selections) a realistic shot at a long-term starter without breaking the bank.
Headliners include Auburn’s Connor Lew, a technician and natural leader with pro-level awareness who tore his ACL in October 2025 but remains a high-upside target for patient teams. Florida’s Jake Slaughter stands out as a multi-year starter and captain with elite football IQ and polished technique. Iowa’s Logan Jones brings excellent athleticism that would fit well in a zone scheme.
Bleacher Report and other analysts have highlighted center as a top Panthers need, frequently linking them to prospects like Slaughter and Lew. Drafting one here locks in cheap, controllable talent for the next four to five years, freeing up money to fix other holes in free agency.
A Practical Plan: Draft the Future, Add Veteran Insurance
The smartest path looks straightforward: let Mays hit the open market, then use a mid-round pick on a center like Lew or Slaughter. To ease the transition and protect against a rookie learning curve, bring in an affordable veteran backup—maybe a reunion with Corbett or a reliable veteran like Willie Lampkin. That combo provides immediate stability while the young guy develops.
This is exactly how smart NFL teams build sustainable lines: invest premium dollars in premium positions and develop cost-effective talent up front.
Final Thoughts
Cade Mays deserves real credit for stepping up in 2025 and helping turn the offense around when the team needed him. But the NFL is a business, and tough calls are part of it. Overpaying for one solid season of average-to-above play would be a misstep when so many other needs exist, and a deep draft class is waiting.
By letting Mays walk, drafting his replacement, and adding inexpensive veteran depth, the Panthers can strengthen the position for years to come while keeping the flexibility to build a real contender around Bryce Young. It’s the disciplined, forward-thinking move the franchise needs.
