CAROLINA PANTHERS
2024 Record - 5-12-0
Head Coach - Dave Canales
2024 Offensive Rank - (29th overall) - 298 YPG; Passing - 188 YPG (30th), Rushing - 110 YPG (18th); SCORING - 20.1 PPG (23rd)
2024 Defensive Rank - (32nd overall) - 405 YPG; Passing - 225 YPG (23rd), Rushing - 180 YPG (32nd); SCORING - 31.4 PPG (32nd)
Key Additions for 2025 - Tre'von Moehrig (DB), Rico Dowdle (RB), Bobby Brown III (DL), Tershawn Wharton (DL), Christian Rozeboom (LB)
Key Losses for 2025 - Shaq Thompson (LB), Jadeveon Clowney (LB), Jordan Fuller (DB), Xavier Woods (DB), Miles Sanders (RB)
OFFENSE - Bryce Young enters his third season at quarterback and in 2024 he passed for 2,403 yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions and rushed for 249 yards (5.8 YPC) and six touchdowns. NFL journeyman Andy Dalton (989 passing yards, seven TD, six INT) is the backup quarterback. Chuba Hubbard (1,195 yards, 4.8 YPC, 10 TD) will be the primary running back. Rico Dowdle (1,079 yards, 4.6 YPC, two TD) comes over from Dallas to provide depth. The wide receivers are Xavier Legette (49, 497, four TD), Jalen Coker (32, 478, two TD) and rookies Jimmy Horn, Jr. (Colorado) and Teteiroa McMillan (Arizona). The tight ends are Ja'Tavion Sanders and Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans (both from Notre Dame).
DEFENSE - Defensive End A'Shawn Robinson (5 1/2 sacks, 80 tackles) leads the front line along with nose tackle Bobby Brown III while the linebackers are D.J. Wonnum (four sacks), Pat Jones II, Trevin Wallace and Josey Jewell (97 tackles). In the secondary, corners Mike Jackson (two interceptions) and Jaycee Horn team with safeties Lathan Ransom and Tre'von Moehrig, Jr. (104 tackles and two picks with Las Vegas in 2024) while safety Nick Scott provides depth.
OUTLOOK - The Panthers improved slightly in 2024 (from 2 wins in 2023 to 5 wins) and QB Bryce Young showed he can play better after a dismal rookie season. Head Coach Dave Canales would like to see the passing game continue to improve while the running game was decent a year ago and should get a shot in the arm with Rico Dowdle coming on board to team with hard running Chuba Hubbard. Getting more results in the red zone would be a big plus as the Panthers' drives tended to stall too much last season.
On defense, improvement is definitely a priority as Carolina was dead last in total defense a year ago as well as run defense and points allowed. They were gashed for 180 rushing yards per game and totaled just 32 QB sacks and nine interceptions, so a better pass rush needs to happen along with stopping the run. The Panthers have four rookies on defense in training camp, so it remains to be seen whether the kids, along with some free agents in camp, can help in those areas. Carolina hasn't made the playoffs since 2017 and another season without a playoff appearance appears to be likely. However, you can never tell as in recent years numerous NFL teams have shown quick turnarounds. Carolina fans are hoping that will be the case in the 2025 season.
2025 SCHEDULE
Week One - at Jacksonville
Week Two - at Arizona
Week Three - vs. Atlanta
Week Four - at New England
Week Five - vs. Miami
Week Six - vs. Dallas
Week Seven - at N.Y. Jets
Week Eight - vs. Buffalo
Week Nine - at Green Bay
Week Ten - vs. New Orleans
Week Eleven - at Atlanta
Week Twelve - at San Francisco
Week Thirteen - vs. L.A. Rams
Week Fourteen - BYE
Week Fifteen - at New Orleans
Week Sixteen - vs. Tampa Bay
Week Seventeen - vs. Seattle
Week Eighteen - at Tampa Bay
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