It’s been a while since the last time theCarolina Pantherswere considered a true NFL playoff contender.
The days of Cam Newton,Luke Kuechly and Christian McCaffrey are long gone, with Carolina failing to make the boat to the postseason in each of the last eight seasons. Since making an appearance at Super Bowl 50 in 2016, the Panthers reached the playoffs just once, and that was when they suffered a wild-card round loss at the hands of the New Orleans Saints in 2018.
Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59), former St. Xavier High school star, talks with a teammate on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of their game played at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio Sunday October 12, 2014.
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Carolina fans surely miss those days, and it still appears they are going to wait a little longer before the Panthers become a force again following a five-win season in 2024.
But another thing that fans might want to see more of is some feistiness among the players, just like back in the day with Newton and company.
Bryce Youngshowed some of that during practice when hetalked some trash at cornerback Jaycee Horn.
Carolina Panthers, Adam Thielen
Jan 5, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) runs after a catch against the Atlanta Falcons in overtime at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
“Guys are finally sick of being the same ol’ Carolina Panthers,” wide receiver Adam Thielen said (viaDavid Newton of ESPN). “We want to get back to what they did here in the past, from ’15 and some of those other years where they made deep playoff runs, when they had the crowd involved and the city pumped up. That just shows guys are sick of the same ol’, same ol’.”
It’s all a work in progress for the Panthers, who have plenty to do to change people’s perception of them as a minnow in the NFC and in the NFC South, where they finished fourth and third in each of the last two seasons, respectively.
But at least, there appears to be a fire lit under the team going into the 2025 season.
New York Giants, Bryce Young
Oct 27, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
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