The Carolina Panthers know to continue their turnaround, the defense must improve in 2025.
Panthers general manager Dan Morgan has been open about the necessity of upgrading a defense that was woeful in 2024. In a sit-down with Anish Shroff, the club's play-by-play announcer, this week from the NFL Scouting Combine, Morgan was asked directly how he'd rank the defensive needs.
"I think you go interior D-line, you go outside linebacker, you go safety. And then, obviously, we need another corner," Morgan said. "So there is a lot of holes to fill. It's not gonna happen overnight. But I think as we move through free agency and we move through the draft, I think things will start to kind of come together and the puzzle will start coming together a little clearer."
Starting with the interior line makes sense for a Carolina club run over last season like a pebble on a NASCAR track. Its 3,057 rushing yards allowed last season was third-most all-time. Giving up 179.8 rushing yards a game is an insane figure. It's not sustainable to win that way. Losing run-stuffer Derrick Brown in the opener certainly hurt, but the Panthers need more beef regardless of the Pro Bowler's return.
More edge help, with Jadeveon Clowney their top pass rusher in 2024, is also a clear need. Carolina generated a league-low 25.5 percent quarterback pressure rate last season. Its 152 pressures also ranked 32nd.
The Panthers have just one safety currently under contract, former undrafted free agent Demani Richardson.
The holes are huge for the Panthers defense. So, while most of the focus the past two years has been on the offense around Bryce Young, it's the defense that needs loads of attention in 2025.
