Carolina Panthers 2025 Season Rewind: An In-Depth Analysis

Chuba Hubbard & Bryce Young

For the first time in a decade, playoff football returned to the Bank and even though that night ended in defeat, it felt like the beginning of something far bigger. The score showed a team that came up short, but the atmosphere told a different story: a crowd alive again, belief restored, and old wounds between the franchise and its past players finally healing. This was a season that reestablished pride, reset expectations, and laid a real foundation for a standard this organization intends to uphold moving forward.

For a few hours, everything felt right with the world. That feeling, the healing, the first fruits of seeds planted long ago was enough. This team owed me nothing more. No one expected them to reach the playoffs, and I’m deeply grateful for how the season ended and for the direction this team is now heading.

2026 Season

At the start of the season, it felt like Carolina had a long list of needs. After seeing how things played out, that list is shorter than we expected, though not gone entirely. Some positions have clearly strengthened, while others still show holes that need to be addressed.

In a radio interview on WFNZ last week, Panthers GM Dan Morgan didn’t mince words, calling the team’s pass rush “not acceptable.” He later reiterated that the defense’s inability to consistently affect opposing quarterbacks was “not up to par.” That assessment makes defensive end an obvious starting point. Simply put, the Panthers are not getting to the quarterback often enough. The numbers back it up: the defense finished with just 30 total sacks, tied for the third-fewest in the NFL, and posted a pressure rate of only 16.5 percent, second lowest in the league. This remains one of the team’s most glaring weaknesses.

Turk Wharton & Nic Scourton

Defensive needs: Edge, Inside Linebacker, Safety, Cornerback

The offensive side of the ball has become a bit more complicated in terms of needs, but the foundation is still in place. The season ended on a tough note with the loss of starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, who suffered a significant ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee during the Panthers’ playoff loss to the Rams. It’s a major injury that is expected to sideline him for months and could potentially extend into the 2026 season. As a result, left tackle now becomes a priority that must be addressed either in the draft or through free agency.

That said, I strongly believe the three interior linemen: Damien Lewis, Cade Mays, and Robert Hunt, are solid and should remain together. However, adding a true center for depth or competition wouldn’t hurt.

It’s no surprise that Rico Dowdle’s name began circulating almost immediately after the loss to the Rams. Half of the fanbase never expected the team to retain him, while the other half still held out hope. Anyone paying attention could see that his workload was being reduced toward the end of the season, for reasons that remain unclear. Shortly after the loss, Rico acknowledged that his decreased carries would factor in his decision-making as he approaches free agency.

Let’s be honest: Rico was a major reason this team made the playoffs. Without his breakout performances and big rushing games, we likely fall short of the win total needed to secure a postseason berth.

Tetairoa McMillan & Bryce Young

Offensive needs: Offensive tackle, Center, Wide receiver

The Carolina Panthers’ biggest issue heading into the offseason is consistency. Week after week, snap after snap. The flashes are there, but they’re too often followed by long stretches of confusion and regression. This team can no longer afford the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde routine of looking prepared one Sunday and losing the next. Whether it’s execution, playcalling, or discipline, the Panthers must establish a reliable identity that shows up every week, not just in spurts. Confidence, resilience, and belief waver too easily when adversity hits, and that’s something that has to be unlocked.