2025 NFL Season Preview: Carolina Panthers
Football

2025 NFL Season Preview: Carolina Panthers

June 25, 2025
Devon Gallant

2025 NFL Team Preview Series: Carolina Panthers

Welcome to our 2025 NFL Team Preview Series, where we’ll dive deep into all 32 franchises ahead of the upcoming season. Whether you’re a die-hard fan, a fantasy football manager, or just looking to get up to speed before kickoff, this series breaks down everything you need to know about each team’s trajectory.

For every team, we’ll cover:

  • Coaching Staff & Philosophy – Who’s leading the charge, and what kind of system are they running?
  • Offseason Recap – Key free-agent moves, trades, and draft picks that reshaped the roster.
  • Schedule Breakdown – Matchups to watch, tough stretches, and projected win-loss record.

From Super Bowl contenders to rebuilding rosters, we’ll assess where each team stands and what lies ahead in 2025.

Carolina Panthers

Coaching Staff: Continuity Under Canales

The Carolina Panthers enter the 2025 season finally with a sense of continuity in their key leadership positions, a welcome change after years of frequent turnover. Dave Canales returns for his second season as Head Coach, bringing his offensive philosophy and developmental approach to the forefront. General Manager Dan Morgan, now in his second full offseason, continues to shape the roster in alignment with Canales’ vision.

Under Canales, the Panthers’ offensive scheme is expected to continue its evolution towards a more efficient and effective unit, tailored to the strengths of Bryce Young. Brad Idzik returns as Offensive Coordinator, further solidifying the offensive side of things and allowing for deeper integration of their system with Young and the new offensive pieces. The focus will remain on a strong run game, utilizing play-action, and maximizing Young’s ability to distribute the ball.

Defensively, Ejiro Evero is back as Defensive Coordinator. He’s known for his aggressive and versatile schemes. The Panthers’ offseason moves, particularly in the draft and free agency, underscore a commitment to providing Evero with the talent needed to execute his vision for a disruptive and opportunistic defence. The stability across the coaching staff, including Assistant Head Coach Harold Goodwin and Senior Coaching Advisor Jim Caldwell, is crucial for fostering player development and accelerating the team’s improvement trajectory.

2025 Offseason Recap: Strategic Upgrades Around Bryce Young

The Carolina Panthers approached the 2025 offseason with a clear directive to upgrade their skill positions, focusing on both free agency and the draft to address critical areas around their young quarterback, Bryce Young. General Manager Dan Morgan was active in retaining key players while bringing in external talent to fill immediate needs.

Key Free-Agent Additions & Retentions:

  • Jaycee Horn (CB) – Re-signed to a four-year, $100 million contract extension. A massive retention, locking up their top cornerback despite his injury history and solidifying the secondary’s future.
  • Chuba Hubbard (RB) – Re-signed to a multi-year deal. Solidifies his role as the lead back after a breakout 2024 season where he led the team with 1,195 rushing yards.
  • Tommy Tremble (TE) – Re-signed to a two-year, $10.5 million deal. Returns as the starting tight end, providing continuity at the position.
  • Austin Corbett (C) – Re-signed to a one-year, $3 million deal. Provides veteran stability and depth along the offensive line.
  • Brady Christensen (OG) – Re-signed to a one-year, $2.787 million deal. Adds flexibility and depth to the interior offensive line.
  • Rico Dowdle (RB) – Signed a 1-year, $2.75 million contract. A significant addition from the Cowboys, bringing a physical running style to complement Hubbard in the backfield.
  • Tre’von Moehrig (S) – Signed a three-year, $51 million contract. A versatile and impactful safety from the Raiders, addressing a key need in the secondary with a proven starter.
  • Tershawn Wharton (DT) – Signed a three-year, $45.05 million contract. A crucial interior defensive line signing from the Chiefs, bolstering the defensive front against the run and pass.
  • Bobby Brown (DT) – Signed a three-year, $21 million contract. Another addition to the defensive interior, providing valuable depth and potential in the rotation.
  • Patrick Jones (OLB) – Signed a two-year, $15 million deal. Adds a proven pass-rushing presence to the edge rotation.
  • Michael Jackson (CB) – Signed a two-year, $10.5 million deal. Provides veteran depth and competition in the cornerback room.
  • Sam Martin (P) – Signed a 1-year, $1.6 million contract. Replaces Johnny Hekker as the team’s punter.
  • Christian Rozeboom (LB) – Signed a 1-year, $2.5 million contract. Adds depth at linebacker and special teams contributions.
  • David Moore (WR) – Signed a 1-year, $1.422 million contract. Adds a veteran presence and vertical threat to the wide receiver room..
  • Andy Dalton (QB) – Re-signed to a two-year, $8 million deal. Continues as the veteran backup quarterback for Bryce Young, providing stability.

Key Departures:

  • Eddy Piñeiro (K) – Contract expired, signed elsewhere (exact team undisclosed as of June 2025).
  • Sam Franklin (S) – Signed a 1-year, $1.337 million contract. Returns for special teams and safety depth.
  • Miles Sanders (RB) – Signed a 1-year, $1.337 million contract with the Cowboys.
  • Johnny Hekker (P) – Released in February, replaced by Sam Martin.
  • Caleb Farley (CB) – Contract expired, remains a free agent.
  • Ian Thomas (TE) – Contract expired, remains a free agent.

2025 NFL Draft Recap: Offensive Weapon and Defensive Reinforcements

The 2025 NFL Draft was a pivotal moment for the Panthers, as they invested heavily in offensive skill positions and significantly bolstered their defensive front seven and secondary. General Manager Dan Morgan made impactful selections, including a bold first-round pick, to accelerate the team’s rebuild and provide Bryce Young with immediate help.

  • Round 1, Pick 8: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona The Panthers made a resounding statement by selecting McMillan with the 8th overall pick. McMillan, a highly touted wide receiver standing at 6’5″ and 210 lbs, is known for his exceptional contested-catch ability, strong hands, and impressive body control. He immediately provides Bryce Young with a true No. 1 target, addressing the team’s most glaring need on offence and demonstrating a clear commitment to Young’s continued development.
  • Round 2, Pick 51 (from DEN): Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M Carolina traded up to secure Scourton, a versatile and athletic edge rusher. Standing at 6’4″ and 260 lbs, Scourton brings a high motor, impressive power, and a diverse set of pass-rush moves, instantly upgrading the Panthers’ ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks.
  • Round 3, Pick 77 (from ATL via NE): Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss Doubling down on the pass rush, the Panthers traded up again for Umanmielen, another high-upside edge defender. Umanmielen, at 6’5″ and 255 lbs, possesses an impressive burst, bend around the edge, and solid run-stopping ability, further solidifying the team’s defensive line rotation.
  • Round 4, Pick 114 (from DAL): Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia The Panthers added a dynamic talent to their backfield in Etienne. At 5’9″ and 205 lbs, he brings versatility as both a quick, elusive runner and an effective pass-catcher, providing depth and potential for a significant role in the running back committee.
  • Round 4, Pick 122 (from DEN): Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State Ransom is a tough and instinctive safety known for his tackling prowess and disruptive play in the run game. He stands at 6’1″ and 205 lbs and will immediately compete for playing time and bolster the Panthers’ safety room alongside Tre’von Moehrig.
  • Round 5, Pick 140 (from NYG): Cam’Ron Jackson, DT, Florida Carolina continued to fortify its defensive line with Jackson, a massive interior run-stuffer at 6’6″ and 360 lbs. He adds crucial depth and power to the defensive tackle rotation, particularly valuable against strong running games.
  • Round 5, Pick 163 (from BAL): Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame Evans is a well-rounded tight end prospect at 6’5″ and 260 lbs, who offers upside as both a formidable blocker and a developing receiver. He’ll compete with Tommy Tremble for targets and playing time.
  • Round 6, Pick 208 (from PHI via DEN): Jimmy Horn Jr., WR, Colorado A speedy and elusive wide receiver, Horn Jr. (5’9″, 175 lbs) brings playmaking ability and potential as a dynamic return specialist. He’ll look to carve out a role on special teams and as a rotational receiver.

Key Draft Storyline: Unlocking Bryce Young and Revamping the Defence

The overarching storyline of the Carolina Panthers’ 2025 NFL Draft was a dual-pronged approach: committing to unlocking Bryce Young’s potential while simultaneously executing a significant overhaul of the defensive front seven and secondary. The selection of Tetairoa McMillan at 8th overall was the boldest statement, providing Young with the elite, big-bodied target he sorely lacked in his rookie season. This move signals a clear intent to support Young with top-tier offensive weapons and establish a primary receiving threat.

Beyond the offensive splash, the draft narrative shifted heavily to defence. The Panthers invested five of their remaining seven picks on defensive players, including consecutive picks on edge rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen in rounds two and three. This aggressive pursuit of pass-rushing talent, combined with the addition of a physical safety in Lathan Ransom and a massive defensive tackle in Cam’Ron Jackson, demonstrates a commitment to transforming one of the league’s least effective defences from 2024. The strategy is to build a more disruptive front that can generate pressure and support a re-vamped secondary, ultimately aiming to improve a unit that ranked 32nd in points per game allowed in 2024. This draft embodies a comprehensive effort to elevate the entire team around its franchise quarterback.

Offseason Summary

The Carolina Panthers’ 2025 offseason represents a turning point of sorts for the franchise. Under the leadership of Head Coach Dave Canales and General Manager Dan Morgan, the team has implemented an aggressive strategy to build a competitive roster around Bryce Young. The focus was multi-faceted: extending key defensive cornerstone Jaycee Horn, solidifying the running back room with Chuba Hubbard and new addition Rico Dowdle, and critically, providing Young with a true go-to receiver in Tetairoa McMillan through the draft.

Defensively, the Panthers sought to inject talent, particularly in the trenches with free-agent signings like Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown, complemented by a draft class heavy on defensive linemen and secondary players. This retooling aims to elevate a unit that struggled in 2024. The continuity within the coaching staff, combined with these strategic personnel additions, should result in a team that will be significantly more competitive. While the Panthers are still developing, this offseason has laid a robust foundation for Bryce Young’s growth and positioned the team for a notable improvement in the win column for 2025.

2025 Schedule Breakdown & Win-Loss Prediction

The Carolina Panthers’ 2025 schedule, fully released in May, features a challenging slate that will test their re-tooled roster. They face tough divisional matchups and a number of high-profile non-conference games, with a decent opportunity to show on field improvement.

Weeks 1–4: Immediate Road Tests and Divisional Rivalry

  • Week 1: at Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Week 2: at Arizona Cardinals
  • Week 3: vs. Atlanta Falcons
  • Week 4: at New England Patriots

    Outlook: A challenging start with three of the first four games on the road. Week 1 against the Jaguars will be a tough test for the new-look offence, as will the Cardinals in Week 2. The home opener against the Falcons is a crucial early divisional battle. The Patriots offer a potentially more winnable road game. 

Prediction: 2-2

Weeks 5–9: Home Stand and AFC East Challenges

  • Week 5: vs. Miami Dolphins
  • Week 6: vs. Dallas Cowboys
  • Week 7: at New York Jets
  • Week 8: vs. Buffalo Bills
  • Week 9: at Green Bay Packers

    Outlook: This stretch includes some of the Panthers’ toughest matchups. Home games against the Dolphins, Cowboys, and Bills will be major indicators of their progress. Road games against the Jets and Packers will also be difficult. Bryce Young and the offence will need to be firing on all cylinders. 

Prediction: 1-4 (Overall: 3-6)

Weeks 10–13: Divisional Showdowns and West Coast Trip

  • Week 10: vs. New Orleans Saints
  • Week 11: at Atlanta Falcons
  • Week 12: at San Francisco 49ers (MNF)
  • Week 13: vs. Los Angeles Rams
  • Week 14: BYE

     Outlook: A critical stretch for their NFC South standing with two divisional games, including a tough road trip to Atlanta. The Monday Night Football game against the 49ers and a home game against the Rams are amongst their most challenging matchups of the season. The Week 14 bye is strategically placed after a grueling few weeks. 

Prediction: 1-3 (Overall: 4-9)


Weeks 15–18: Final Push for Improvement

  • Week 15: at New Orleans Saints
  • Week 16: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks
  • Week 18: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

    Outlook: The season concludes with crucial divisional games against the Saints and Buccaneers, plus a home game against the Seahawks. These late-season matchups, especially the two against Tampa Bay, will significantly influence their final record and divisional standing. 

Prediction: 3-1


Final Record Prediction: 7-10

The Carolina Panthers’ 2025 schedule presents a formidable challenge, particularly in the middle portion of the season. However, with the significant talent infusion on offence and defence, combined with coaching continuity and Bryce Young’s expected development, a 7-10 record is a positive step forward. This would represent a two-win improvement over last season and show that the team is becoming more competitive. While a playoff spot remains a stretch, the Panthers should be capable of surprising some opponents and establishing a clear upward trajectory in the NFC South. The success of the season hinges on Young’s continued growth and the new defensive pieces gelling quickly.

Final Take: A Pivotal Offseason Ignites Panthers’ Rebuild

The Carolina Panthers entered the 2025 offseason with a clear mandate: drastically improve the roster around young quarterback Bryce Young and rectify the defensive struggles that plagued their 2024 campaign. General Manager Dan Morgan and Head Coach Dave Canales orchestrated a focused and aggressive strategy, signalling a shift from passive rebuilding to active contention.

On the offensive side, the boldest move was the selection of WR Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 8 overall pick in the NFL Draft. McMillan’s arrival immediately provides Bryce Young with the tall, contested-catch specialist he desperately needed, offering a true go-to receiver to complement the rest of what is a young receiving corps. This, combined with the continued emphasis on a robust running game led by Chuba Hubbard (who had a breakout 1,195 rushing yards and 10 TDs in 2024) and bolstered by free-agent Rico Dowdle and rookie Trevor Etienne, aims to create a more balanced and efficient attack. The commitment to Young’s development, providing him with a better supporting cast, was paramount.

Defensively, the Panthers, who ranked last in the league in points allowed (31.4 PPG) in 2024, underwent a significant overhaul. The draft saw a heavy investment in the defensive line with Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen as early-round edge rushers, injecting much-needed pass-rush talent. These additions complement key free-agent signings like Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III on the interior. In the secondary, the impactful signing of safety Tre’von Moehrig and the drafting of Lathan Ransom, alongside the critical extension of Jaycee Horn, aim to fortify the back end and generate more turnovers. This approach signals a clear intent to transform one of the NFL’s weakest units into a respectable defensive group.

The success or failure of this largely hinges on Bryce Young’s expected leap in his second year within Canales’ system, and how quickly the new defensive pieces can integrate under Ejiro Evero. While still a developing team, the Panthers have laid a much stronger foundation for a competitive 2025 season. They’ve moved beyond the “rebuild” phase and are now actively building towards becoming a relevant force in the NFC South. Expect a more competitive team with a tangible path to future success.

-Devon Gallant

Twitter: @DevGallant

Photo: Tennessee Titans. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.