CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers are making sure their big-money defensive additions have a reliable floor to stand on. General Manager Dan Morgan reached an agreement Monday with veteran punter Sam Martin on a two-year contract worth up to $5 million, keeping the 36-year-old in the Queen City through the 2027 season.
While the headlines this month belonged to the $120 million investment in pass-rusher Jaelan Phillips and the arrival of All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd, Morgan is clearly looking at the fine print of his roster. Martin joined the Panthers last March and immediately became a directional weapon for head coach Dave Canales. He didn’t blow the roof off with distance—his 40.5 net average sat 22nd in the NFL—but his precision was the real story.
Martin squeezed the field better than almost anyone in the league last year. He pinned 27 punts inside the 20-yard line, a top-ten finish that consistently forced opposing offenses into long-field situations. Perhaps even more impressive: he surrendered just three touchbacks in 56 attempts. In a league where field position often dictates the winner of tight divisional battles, Martin proved he can still drop the ball on a dime.
“Sam is a pro’s pro. He understands how to flip the field and take the pressure off our defense. When you have a guy who can kill the ball at the five-yard line consistently, it changes how the other team has to call plays.”
— Dan Morgan, Carolina Panthers General Manager
The Panthers appear to be finishing their heavy lifting in free agency. By retaining Martin, they keep their special teams battery of kicker Ryan Fitzgerald and long snapper J.J. Jansen intact for the 2026 campaign. This continuity is a hallmark of the Morgan era, balancing massive “A-list” signings with the retention of reliable veterans who know the system.
With the “third phase” solidified and the pass rush significantly upgraded, the front office is expected to shift all attention to the 2026 NFL Draft in April. The roster still has holes in the secondary and needs more depth on the offensive line, but the foundation for a playoff push is visibly hardening. Martin might not be the flashiest name on the payroll, but for a team looking to climb the NFC South standings, his right leg is a vital asset.
