The Carolina Panthers Are Out to Erase a Historically Bad Defense in 2025

Let’s be real. The Carolina Panthers’ defense in 2024 wasn’t just bad. It was historically awful. Dead last in points allowed, total yards, yards per play, and first downs surrendered. They gave up an NFL-record 534 points, were second all-time in yards allowed, and third in rushing yards allowed. That’s not a rough season. That’s a scar on franchise history.

But 2025? This squad is done living in the past.

Cornerback Jaycee Horn isn’t sugarcoating it.

"You kind of want to throw it out of your mind because it's a new season, but at the same time, it's on the back of your mind too… We weren’t a good defense last year, so this year we just have to go even harder."

Horn, like the rest of the defense, is fueled by the embarrassment of 2024. It’s a clean slate, but the stain is still fresh. And this group knows it.

Outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum says the leadership in Carolina is laser focused on fixing it, and it starts with holding each other accountable.

“We know this is not the standard… We’re not running from it. We're going to show y’all how much better we are, and how much better we can be.”

And they’re not just talking. The front office got busy this offseason. They brought back interior monster Derrick Brown, who missed all of last year. That alone gives the defensive line a major lift.

Then on Day 1 of free agency, the Panthers added safety Tre’von Moehrig, defensive linemen Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III, edge rusher Patrick Jones II, and linebacker Christian Rozeboom. You might not see Pro Bowl resumes in that group, but you do see toughness, experience, and depth. Three things Carolina desperately lacked in 2024.

They also loaded up in the draft with pass rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen, safety Lathan Ransom, and big-bodied defensive tackle Cam Jackson. Now we wait to see how all these pieces come together in Ejiro Evero’s system once camp kicks off.

And new head coach Dave Canales is already setting the tone:

“We’ve got a bunch of new faces, and the guys who were here last year, they take a lot of pride in making sure that we’re the best we can be this year.”

The Panthers don’t need to become the 2000 Ravens overnight. But after a record-setting collapse, there’s nowhere to go but up. And with leadership that’s embracing the challenge instead of dodging it, don’t be surprised if this defense flips the script in 2025.