Panthers shift attention to D

Offseason makeover will focus on defense that set records for futility in '24

Carolina Panthers linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (7) lines up against the Atlanta Falcons in the team’s final regular season game. Despite only getting 5.5 sacks, Clowney tied for the team lead. (Danny Karnik / AP Photo)

The Carolina Panthers gave fans reason for hope at the end of a 5-12 season. While Bryce Young began to show signs of development down the stretch, the Panthers won two of their final three games and went 4-5 in the second half of the season.

Over the final five weeks of the regular season, only the Ravens and Lions scored more touchdowns than Carolina’s 15.

For the first time since Cam Newton started feeling the pain of all the time he kept the ball on RPOs, the Panthers feel like they may have a true starting quarterback. That means that, headed into the offseason, their top problem each of the last few years, is off the board.

Of course, the list of things to fix is still very long. Before fans start printing playoff tickets, they may want to consider that, of Carolina’s five wins this year, three came in overtime and none came against teams that finished with winning records. In fact, the Panthers pick eighth in this year’s draft and hold wins over two of the teams picking ahead of them—meaning they finished with worse records—as well as the Saints, who pick ninth.

Topping the list of trouble spots for the team is the other side of the ball. The defense, which has been a bright spot in several of the post-Newton seasons, collapsed this year, due to attrition and injury. Trading pass rusher Brian Burns before the start of the year certainly didn’t help, and neither did the season-ending injury that limited tackle Derrick Brown to one game this year.

Still, the defense was historically bad in 2024. The Panthers allowed the most points in a season in NFL history this year, and the fourth-most rushing yards ever. Yes, the fact that the NFL recently expanded the schedule to 17 games helped the team reach those marks, but Carolina’s defense was still Dr. Seuss bad this past season:

It was bad on the ground (ranked last in rushing yards allowed and yards per rush). It was bad up in the air (last in passing touchdowns allowed). It was bad on third down (no. 32), in the red zone (no. 29). In games on Fox, with extra guys in the box. It doesn’t matter. By any measure, it was just bad.

In a bit of an upset, the team announced after the season that it plans to retain defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, apparently blaming a good portion of the unit’s struggles on the lack of manpower.

Now is the time to shore that up.

The team needs help across the board on defense, but the best bet is that the No. 8 overall pick will go toward the defensive line, either on a tackle to pair with a healthy Brown or a pass rusher to replace Burns. Veterans Jadeveon Clowney and A’Shawn Robinson tied for the team sack lead with 5.5 each. That’s the second-lowest total to lead the team in Panthers history and, as recently as 2019, would have ranked fourth on the Carolina defense.

If the Panthers pursue an edge rusher in free agency, Josh Sweat and Khalil Mack are the top ones expected to hit the market. Dante Fowler, Dayo Obeyingo and Chase Young are also top targets, although this might be an area the team earmarks with its first-round pick.

If the team looks for a free agent tackle, Milton Williams, BJ Hill and Osa Odighizuwa should be near the top of the list.

Next up for the team is safety. Virtually all of the team’s production at this spot is slated for free agency, led by Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller and Nick Scott. The team will have to evaluated whether any are worth reupping, then focus on upgrading the rest of a unit that was short on big plays last year.

Fortunately, the safety market is loaded with Jevon Holland, Talanoa Hufanga, Julian Blackmon, Camryn Bynum, Tre’von Moehrig and Andre Cisco all available and all between 25 and 27 years old.

Linebacker is also an area to address, especially with Shaq Thompson headed for free agency, and cornerback, where Michael Jackson is hitting the market, is also a concern.

On offense, the team needs to add a receiver, and rumors have linked the team with Cincinnati free agent Tee Higgins, likely the biggest receiver name on the market. The Panthers will also need to add veteran tight ends to Ja’Tavian Sanders, who had a solid rookie season.  Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas are both free agents.

The line is not the gaping area of need it often is, but Austin Corbett and Brady Christensen could both be headed out as free agents. Carolina may also want to find a true center.

Progress is being made, but the team still faces a crucial offseason as it tries to build back to a contender.