Carolina Panthers Hope to Shock the NFL in 2025
The Carolina Panthers are entering Year 3 of the Bryce Young era, aiming to prove their doubters wrong and capitalize on a potentially wide-open NFC South. With head coach Dave Canales in his second season, the team is striving for significant improvement after a challenging start to Young’s career.
In 2024, the Panthers finished third in the NFC South with a 5-12 record, a slight improvement over their dismal 2-15 showing in 2023. However, the memory of the trade that brought Young to Carolina still lingers, casting a shadow over the franchise. The Panthers traded a king’s ransom to the Chicago Bears for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, a move that has been widely criticized and labeled as one of the worst trades in recent NFL history. The pressure is on Young and Canales to justify the organization’s faith in them and prove that the trade was a worthwhile investment.
Despite the scrutiny, the Panthers remain optimistic about their future. The arrival of Dave Canales has brought a sense of hope and stability to the team. Canales has a proven track record of revitalizing quarterbacks’ careers, having previously worked with Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay and Geno Smith in Seattle. His ability to tailor his offensive scheme to the strengths of his quarterbacks is a key reason for optimism in Carolina. The hope is that Canales can unlock Young’s potential and help him become the franchise quarterback the Panthers envisioned when they drafted him.
General manager Dan Morgan has also played a crucial role in reshaping the Panthers’ roster. Since taking over before the 2024 season, Morgan has focused on adding talent and depth to both sides of the ball. His efforts have been praised by analysts and fans alike, and the Panthers are starting to see the fruits of his labor.
As the 2025 NFL season approaches, the Panthers are generating buzz as a potential surprise team. USA TODAY Sports predicts an 8-9 record for Carolina, a significant improvement over their previous seasons. While the Buccaneers are considered the favorites in the NFC South, and the Falcons are making a strong push, the Panthers are quietly gaining momentum.
The 2025 NFL Draft saw the Panthers add even more talent to their roster. They selected wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth overall pick, giving Young a much-needed weapon in the passing game. McMillan is a big, physical receiver with excellent hands and the potential to become a true No. 1 target. He will complement Xavier Legette, whom the Panthers drafted with the 32nd overall pick in the previous year’s draft.
To further bolster their offense, the Panthers signed running back Rico Dowdle in free agency. Dowdle will form a dynamic duo with Chuba Hubbard, who emerged as a breakout star in 2024. The combination of Hubbard’s explosiveness and Dowdle’s versatility should give the Panthers a more balanced and effective running game.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Panthers have some strong foundational pieces in Derrick Brown and Jaycee Horn. Brown is a dominant defensive tackle who can disrupt opposing offenses, while Horn is a talented cornerback with the potential to shut down opposing receivers. However, the Panthers’ defense still has significant weaknesses, particularly in their pass rush and overall ability to prevent points. In 2024, they ranked last in the league in points per game allowed (31.4) and yards per play allowed. They were also 31st in ESPN’s pass-rush win-rate metric.
To address these issues, the Panthers used the 2025 draft to add two promising edge rushers: Nic Scourton (Round 2, Pick 51) and Princely Umanmielen (Round 3, Pick 77). These young players will be expected to contribute immediately and help improve the Panthers’ pass rush.
The Panthers’ 2025 schedule offers them a chance to prove their worth. As a result of finishing third in the NFC South, they will face the Cowboys, Packers, and Jaguars. Additionally, they have the benefit of two divisional matchups against the rebuilding Saints. If they can split or sweep the Buccaneers and Falcons in the division, they will be in a strong position to improve their record.
According to Sharp Football Analysis, the Panthers have the seventh-easiest schedule in the NFL for 2025. This favorable schedule, combined with their improved roster and coaching staff, gives them a realistic chance to compete for a wild card spot. However, they will need to overcome their recent history of struggles. The team has not won more than seven games in a season since 2017.
The NFC South has been one of the weakest divisions in the league in recent years, creating an opportunity for the Panthers to make a significant leap. If they can continue to develop their young core and capitalize on their favorable schedule, they have the potential to surprise the NFL and emerge as a playoff contender. The Panthers have the chance to shock the league if everything falls into place.
Here’s a look at the Panthers’ opponents for the 2025 season: (Opponent list would be inserted here)
