Carolina Panthers schedule: Games, dates, TV channels for 2025 season

It's been a turbulent few years for the Carolina Panthers, but signs of progress are beginning to emerge. 

Since David Tepper purchased the franchise in 2018, Carolina has struggled to find consistency. The team has yet to win more than seven games in a season under his ownership, and the 2023 campaign reached a low point both on and off the field. Tepper made headlines for throwing a drink at a fan, and the Panthers limped to a league-worst 2-15 record.

In response, Carolina pressed the reset button in 2024, hiring Dan Morgan as general manager and Dave Canales as head coach. Morgan has worked to reshape the roster over the last two offseasons, and signs of improvement began to show. The Panthers posted a 5-12 record last year, finishing third in the NFC South. While still far from playoff contention, it marked a step in the right direction.

All eyes are now on quarterback Bryce Young, who enters his third NFL season. After a rocky rookie year, he showed modest growth in 2024 and will benefit from the continuity of working with Canales for a second consecutive season. The former Buccaneers offensive coordinator has a track record of developing quarterbacks, having helped Baker Mayfield and Geno Smith revitalize their careers. If he can unlock Young’s potential, the Panthers may finally have their franchise quarterback.

To aid Young’s development, Carolina invested in offensive weapons. They selected standout wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, pairing him with second-year receiver Xavier Legette. The Panthers also signed running back Rico Dowdle in free agency to form a backfield tandem with Chuba Hubbard, who emerged as a bright spot last season.

Carolina Panthers 2025 schedule

Preseason (All times eastern)

Friday, Aug. 8: vs Cleveland 7 p.m. 

Saturday, Aug. 16: at Houston 1 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 21: vs Pittsburgh 7 p.m. 

Regular season

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 7 at Jacksonville Jaguars | TV: FOX 1 p.m.

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 14 at Arizona Cardinals | TV: CBS 4:05 p.m. 

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 21 vs. Atlanta Falcons | TV: FOX 1 p.m. 

Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 28 at New England Patriots | TV: FOX 1 p.m. 

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 5 vs. Miami Dolphins | TV: FOX 1 p.m.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 12 vs. Dallas Cowboys | TV: FOX 1 p.m.

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 19 at New York Jets | TV: FOX 1 p.m. 

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 26 vs. Buffalo Bills | TV: FOX 1 p.m.

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 2 at Green Bay Packers | TV: FOX 1 p.m. 

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 9 vs. New Orleans Saints | TV: FOX 1 p.m.

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 16 at Atlanta Falcons | TV: FOX 1 p.m. 

Week 12: Monday, Nov. 24 at San Francisco 49ers | TV: ESPN 8:15 p.m. 

Week 13: Sunday, Nov. 30 vs. Los Angeles Rams | TV: FOX 1 p.m. 

Week 14: Bye 

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 14 at New Orleans Saints | TV: FOX 4:25 p.m.

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 21 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | TV FOX 1 p.m. 

Week 17: TBD vs. Seattle Seahawks 

Week 18: TBD at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Defensively, the Panthers still face major challenges. Despite the presence of standout players like Derrick Brown and Jaycee Horn, Carolina ranked dead last in both points allowed per game (31.4) and yards per play allowed in 2024. 

The team also struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks, finishing 31st in the pass-rush win rate. To address these deficiencies, the Panthers drafted edge rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen in the second and third rounds, respectively.

Carolina’s 2025 schedule will offer key matchups, including games against the Cowboys, Packers, and Jaguars. They’ll also benefit from two divisional games against the rebuilding Saints. While the Buccaneers and Falcons remain the frontrunners in the NFC South, the Panthers are slowly gaining momentum and could surprise some teams in 2025.