The Carolina Panthers were written off early in 2024. Now, just months later, one NFL analyst believes they’re quietly building a team no one wants to play.
In a league where narratives can shift overnight, Aaron Leming of Windy City Gridironlisted Carolina as one of the NFL’s most improved teams heading into the 2025 season, joining a group of rebuilding squads that all lost 12 or more games last year. But Leming didn’t include the Panthers out of sympathy. He pointed to concrete roster upgrades and a rejuvenated quarterback as reasons for real optimism in Charlotte.
“They went from an easy win to a team nobody wanted to face down the stretch,” Leming noted, referencing Carolina’s improved play late last season.
Indeed, after a disastrous 1-7 start in 2024, the Panthers finished the year by winning four of their final nine, including a dramatic overtime victory over Atlanta in Week 18. That turnaround was sparked by the resurgence of quarterback Bryce Young, who showed flashes of his Heisman-caliber talent after early-season struggles and a temporary benching.
Under new head coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan, the Panthers attacked the offseason with urgency. They added high-upside youth through the draft, highlighted by No. 8 overall pick Tetairoa McMillan, an explosive wide receiver with WR1 potential, and edge rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen.
Dave Canales coaching turnaround.
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales with Ian Thomas (80) in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium.
© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
The front office also turned to free agency to reinforce the defense, signing disruptive linemen Patrick Jones II, Tershawn Wharton, and Bobby Brown III. On the back end, safety Tre’Von Moehrig and rookie Lathan Ransom will help anchor what was a porous secondary.
“The Jones, Wharton, and Brown additions will complement the high-round selections of Scourton and Umanmielen,” Leming explained. “Add in Moehrig and Ransom… that should be enough to help get the Panthers’ defense closer to league average.”
That might not sound glamorous, but for a team that ranked bottom-five in nearly every defensive metric last year, average could be transformational.
On the offensive side, retaining Adam Thielen’s veteran presence and drafting McMillan give Young a stronger supporting cast. With running backs Chuba Hubbard and new addition Rico Dowdle forming a thunder-and-lightning backfield, Carolina may finally be able to control the tempo.
Health will be crucial. The offensive line’s ability to keep Young upright is perhaps the biggest variable standing between another lost season and a potential playoff push.
Leming put it plainly:
“Assuming the Panthers’ offensive line can stay healthy, the offense has a quality ceiling.”
It’s still early. The Panthers are months away from taking a snap that counts. But with roster upgrades on both sides of the ball, a quarterback with something to prove, and a coach known for QB development, Carolina may not just be improved, they may be dangerous.
Panthers fans, it’s time to watch closely. The rebuild may finally be taking root.