Free Agency Frenzy! Chiefs Lose Key Piece in Eye-Popping Signing

As the NFL free agency period officially opened, the Kansas City Chiefs were immediately active, making significant moves to bolster their roster. General Manager Brett Veach kicked things off by securing left tackle Jaylon Moore and running back Elijah Moore, both key acquisitions that showed the Chiefs’ intent to strengthen their lineup for the upcoming season. However, amidst these moves, the team faced a major setback with the loss of defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton to the Carolina Panthers in a surprising and eye-popping signing.

The Chiefs had already made headlines before free agency, re-signing one of their most crucial players, linebacker Nick Bolton, to a three-year, $45 million deal. With other priorities on the horizon, including reaching agreements with safety Justin Reid and defensive lineman Charles Omenihu, the Chiefs’ front office had to make tough decisions regarding some of their other free agents. Among these was Tershawn Wharton, whose future with the team seemed uncertain from the start.

Wharton, an undrafted free agent who had shown steady development over the years, had a solid season in 2024. He played 62% of defensive snaps, setting career highs with 6.5 sacks, 11 QB hits, and seven tackles for loss. Despite his rising production, however, Wharton was ranked as only the 49th-best interior defender in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.

Heading into free agency, the expectation was that Wharton would attract interest from teams in need of defensive tackle help. Spotrac projected his market value to be around $7.4 million per year, with a fair contract estimated at three years, $22 million. While his performance last season certainly warranted some attention, few anticipated the massive deal that was about to come his way.

On Monday, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that Wharton had agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers on a shocking three-year, $54 million deal, with $30 million guaranteed. This deal would have ranked among the top 15 interior defenders in the NFL in terms of annual average salary. For a player who had not yet proven himself among the elite, this was an astronomical overpay by the Panthers.

It’s clear that the Panthers were eager to add a defensive tackle after losing out on Milton Williams to the New England Patriots earlier in the day. In their desperation, they broke the bank to secure Wharton, likely hoping to plug a crucial gap on their defensive line. For Wharton, this represents a significant step forward in his career, moving from a rotational player in Kansas City to a surefire starter in Carolina.

For the Chiefs, losing Wharton is a tough blow, as they had hoped to retain him as part of their defensive rotation. However, given the inflated nature of the deal and the team’s salary cap constraints, this was always going to be a difficult player to keep. As Wharton moves on to his new home in Carolina, the Chiefs will be left to focus on other key priorities, with the front office now tasked with addressing the gap left by his departure.

While the Panthers’ gamble on Wharton may raise eyebrows across the league, one thing is certain: free agency in the NFL is always full of surprises, and the Chiefs’ loss of a key defensive piece is a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the offseason.