Panthers Defense Slammed Again Despite Major Overhaul originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
If there’s one thing Carolina Panthers fans hoped to leave behind in 2024, it’s the haunting memory of a defense that couldn’t stop a nosebleed. Unfortunately, one respected columnist says the nightmare may not be over.
In a brutally honest post-free agency and draft breakdown, Sports snap’s Matt Johnson ranked the Panthers’ defense 30th out of 32 NFL teams heading into the 2025 season, unchanged from his spring evaluation. For a franchise that allowed an NFL-record 534 points last season, this stings, especially after the front office spent the offseason reshaping nearly every level of the defense.
“The Carolina Panthers tried to spend even more on this defense in free agency,” Johnson wrote, citing the failed pursuit of free agent Milton Williams. “At the very least, adding playmaking safety Tre’von Moehrig behind standout corner Jaycee Horn provides some optimism… but this unit won’t reach the abysmal lows we saw in 2024.”
That’s a pretty bleak outlook for a group that surrendered the most total yards and rushing yards in the league and logged only 32 sacks all year. But Johnson’s take isn’t sitting well with some fans, and it may overlook key pieces added in both free agency and the draft.
General manager Dan Morgan brought in a fresh wave of defensive talent, including Patrick Jones II (EDGE), Bobby Brown III and Tershawn Wharton (DTs). The 2025 draft added even more firepower: Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen on the edge, Lathan Ransom at safety, and Cam Jackson to bolster the defensive line.
And let’s not forget Derrick Brown’s return, arguably Carolina’s most consistent performer up front.
Still, Johnson’s exclusion of these additions raises questions. Was this a case of national media overlooking a rebuilding team? Or is the skepticism warranted after such a historically poor season?
Regardless of where fans land, the message is clear: the Panthers defense still has everything to prove.
Head coach Dave Canales and DC Ejiro Evero face the challenge of translating new names into real results. With more speed on the edge and added talent in the secondary, expectations are rising, but so is the pressure.
If Carolina wants to change the narrative, they’ll need more than potential. They’ll need production.
Panthers Nation, the time for talk is over. The 2025 season may define whether this new era in Charlotte can flip the script, or whether it’s just more of the same.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
