Jalen Coker, Panthers Agree to Contract Extension, How Much Will Former UDFA Make on New Deal?

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker is receiving quite a raise.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday the NFC South team and wide receiver agreed to a three-year, $35 million contract extension that can be worth up to $41 million with incentives.

"This deal comes now for Coker, who was set to be an exclusive rights free agent this year and an RFA next year," Rapoport explained.

Coker was previously set to make $1.08 million in base salary for 2026 on his contract, so this is a significant raise over his previous deal.

The Holy Cross product entered the league as an undrafted free agent but was a solid contributor in 2024 with 32 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns.

That set the stage for what figured to be an even better 2025, but he started the season on injured reserve and didn't make his debut until October. It then took him some time to settle in with 66 receiving yards through his first four games.

Yet Coker eventually found his form.

He scored three touchdowns in his final five regular-season games and ended the campaign second on the Panthers with 394 receiving yards and three touchdown catches. Only Tetairoa McMillan (1,014 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches) finished with better numbers in either category.

The end of the regular season did nothing to slow down Coker's individual momentum, as he exploded for nine catches for 134 yards and a touchdown in the NFC Wild Card Round loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

▶️ Full Rams-Panthers Recap

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At just 24 years old and with a new deal in place, Coker is well positioned to continue growing with a young offensive core that includes the 23-year-old McMillan and 24-year-old Bryce Young.

It would be anything but surprising if he is Carolina's No. 2 wide receiver in 2026 as the team looks to repeat as NFC South champions.