Panthers Defensive Revamp Under Fire: Analyst Warns 2025 Could Be Another Disaster
The Carolina Panthers were desperate to fix their broken defense after a historically dreadful 2024 season — but not everyone’s convinced they got it right.
General manager Dan Morgan spent big this offseason, aggressively targeting reinforcements in the trenches and at key defensive positions. With the Panthers giving up an embarrassing 3,000+ rushing yards last year and allowing more points than any team in NFL history, changes weren’t optional — they were urgent.
But according to NFL analyst Matt Johnson of Sportsnaut, those changes may not be enough. In his brutally honest post-draft power rankings, Johnson placed Carolina’s defense a dismal 30th in the league, warning fans not to expect a dramatic turnaround in 2025.
“The Panthers tried to spend even more on this defense in free agency, but Milton Williams turned them down. At the very least, adding playmaking safety Tre’von Moehrig behind standout corner Jaycee Horn provides some optimism. But the run defense is going to be awful again — and they won’t be much better against the pass.”
Johnson did concede the defense likely won’t hit rock-bottom levels again — but it’s hardly a vote of confidence for a franchise trying to claw its way out of irrelevance.
Despite missing out on big names like Williams, Morgan made calculated additions. He traded up in the draft to land edge rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen, betting on their upside. Veteran Derrick Brown returns to anchor the line, and Tre’von Moehrig adds a playmaking spark to the secondary.
Still, questions linger — especially around defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, whose seat is boiling hot heading into 2025. After fielding a historically leaky defense, he was spared this offseason, but fans have little patience left.
Carolina’s defense may look better on paper, but as Johnson points out, paper isn’t the gridiron. If Evero’s revamped unit falters early, the finger-pointing will be swift — and the fallout could be brutal.
For Panthers fans, hope is cautiously alive. But after one of the worst defensive seasons in league history, 2025 needs to be more than just “better.” It needs to be redeeming. Otherwise, heads will roll.