The message is clear.
The Carolina Panthers made history in the 2020 NFL Draft when they spent all seven of their draft picks on defense. The 2025 Carolina Panthers may follow suit.
Following a 2-15 season in 2023 and a huge change up in the organisation, from the front office to the coaching staff, the new guys knew where to start – offense.
On the opening day of free agency, the Panthers made a blockbuster play by signing former Miami Dolphins free agent guard Robert Hunt to a five-year, $100m deal. Protecting Bryce Young was essential after his two-win rookie year.
Following on from the Hunt deal, new general manager Dan Morgan did not stop there. The next humongous body through the door was Damien Lewis. Another free agent guard from Seattle Seahawks, signing a four-year, $53m contract.
With the offensive line shaping up, next stop was the weapons. Morgan traded for wide receiver Diontae Johnson, then went into the draft selecting another wide receiver as well as a running back and a tight end with three of the first four picks.
Going into the 2024 season the Panthers were happy with the offensive offseason moves made. However, while the offense struggled in the beginning, it was clear to see which area had been neglected – the defense.
Despite going 2-15 in 2023, the defense put up some good numbers. The 2024 defense put up some of the worst numbers in the league, including breaking the record for most points allowed in a single season.
Dan Morgan has stressed that the 2025 offseason needs to be addressed in a similar fashion to how 2024 was, only flipping attention to the other side of the trenches. As Hunt and Lewis were signed to boost the offensive line, Morgan now wants to beef up the defensive line.
Work already started
Morgan has got to work immediately to fix the defense with 2021 first-round cornerback Jaycee Horn signing a $100m, four-year extension. This contract set the record for the highest paid defensive back in NFL history.
Following on from Horn’s deal, Carolina secured the services of four new defensive players.
A starting calibre safety in Tre’von Moehrig from Las Vegas Raiders on a $51m, three-year contract being the biggest splash. Patrick Jones II, edge rusher from Minnesota Vikings, Bobby Brown III, defensive tackle from Los Angeles Rams, and Tershawn Wharton, defensive end from Kansas City Chiefs, have also been signed.
With these additions, Morgan is staying true to his word. The 2024 Panthers suffered because they never replaced those that left, such as Brian Burns.
Carolina currently has a few pending free agents of their own. Adequate replacements still need to be made as well as correcting a mistake from last year.
While all emphasis was improving the offense, the defense suffered, leading us here. However, the offense is still not perfect. Improvements on that side of the ball still need to be made.
With the draft coming up next month, it is expected that the Panthers will go heavy on defense, but securing a true wide receiver and another tight end still needs to be addressed at some point.
