Panthers Sign Bobby Okereke to Start Beside Devin Lloyd

Overview

• Bobby Okereke was officially signed by the Carolina Panthers on Monday and the team plans to start him next to Pro Bowler Devin Lloyd in the middle of the defense.
• General manager Dan Morgan described Okereke as a veteran with high football IQ who fits the Panthers' scheme and can cover, blitz and make plays sideline to sideline.
• Okereke arrives with seven years of NFL experience and recent production that includes 143 combined tackles in 2025, making him a proven tackler and playmaker for Carolina.
• The Panthers also added veteran Tyrel Dodson to their practice squad to provide immediate depth and special-teams experience behind the new starting pairing.
• The move is meant to be a clear upgrade over recent inside-linebacker rotations, but final roster status still depends on preseason evaluations, player health and NFL cutdown and waiver procedures.