The summer is almost here, and in NFL speak, that’s the prompt to study rosters around the business. Down in Carolina, a former Minnesota Vikings pass rusher, Patrick Jones II, could be an odd man out for the Panthers, according to Bleacher Report.
Jones’s Carolina stint may already be shaky, despite signing a two-year deal just last offseason.
Jones II signed with the Panthers in 2025 after his rookie contract in Minnesota, and if BR has it right, he may be looking for his next chapter in late August.
Carolina’s EDGE Group Could Leave Jones Exposed
Roster bubbles will flow to the surface in a few months.
BR: Jones II Could Be Released in CAR
Maurice Moton of BR undertook the task of sizing up a surprise cut candidate for each NFL team last week, and in Carolina, that man was Jones II.
He explained, “The Carolina Panthers signed a top-tier free agent in Jaelan Phillips. He’ll likely start opposite Nic Scourton on the edge. As a third-rounder from the 2025 draft, Princely Umanmielen could see more time on the field in his second year.”
With an established pass-rusher and two high-upside outside linebackers on the depth chart, Patrick Jones II may be in a battle for a limited role after he missed 13 games with a back injury last season. Don’t be surprised if Carolina cuts him and saves $4.75 million in cap space.”
For the Vikings, Moton pointed to veteran safety Theo Jackson.
Panthers’ Current EDGE Room
To be clear, Jones II has not been cut yet; it’s just a theory from a guy at Bleacher Report. Here’s a look at the Panthers’ outside linebackers from a May viewpoint:
- Jaelan Phillips
- Nic Scourton
- Patrick Jones II
- Princely Umanmielen
- Nick Hampton
- Trevis Gipson
- Jamil Muhammad
- Thomas Incoom
- Isaiah Smith
Phillips is obviously the big-name addition, and by default, the man who would shove Jones II out if Moton has it right. Umanmielen would basically take his job at OLB3.
ESPN’s Ben Solak wrote about Phillips in March, “Phillips’ career pressure rate of 10.6 percent shares good company. Brian Burns and Maxx Crosby had pressure rates of 10.8 percent through their age-26 season; Trey Hendrickson and T.J. Watt were at 10.6 percent and 10.5 percent, respectively.”
“Phillips’ sack rate of 2.0 percent is far lower than his pressure performance would indicate. It’s fair to expect, even if he remains more of a pocket breaker who creates sacks for others, that a double-digit sack season is in his imminent future (assuming he stays healthy).”
The Panthers’ defense ranked 23rd in the NFL per EPA/Play in 2025.
Jones II in MIN
Jones II signed a two-year, $10 million deal with the Panthers 14 months ago, concluding his four-year tenure with the Vikings. His departure made him one of the most notable free agents to leave the team that offseason.
The Vikings originally drafted Jones in Round 3 during Rick Spielman’s final draft class. He slowly but surely carved out a role as a rotational EDGE defender, occasionally flashing starting-caliber play.
However, 2024 marked a significant turning point for Jones. He recorded 24 quarterback pressures and 7 sacks, establishing himself as a dependable part of Brian Flores’ pass-rush rotation. Throughout that season, Jones, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Jonathan Greenard consistently generated pressure off the edge. This effective trio, in turn, naturally limited rookie Dallas Turner’s opportunities.
Career Trajectory
If one assumes that Carolina offloads Jones II — that may or may not happen — his outlook in the NFL isn’t dire. He’s more than capable as an OLB3 or OLB4 and would have no problem finding work. In fact, the Vikings could have an OLB3 opening, and with Jones II’s relative success in 2024, a reunion could not be ruled out.
Jones II is also just 27 years old. He’s right in the middle of his prime. The ex-Viking will find a job quite quickly if Moton is correct about the roster cut.
Oddsmakers expect the Panthers to win seven or eight games in 2026. For the Vikings, the win total is around eight or nine.
