Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Panthers' recent roster move casts even more bad light on the previous regime and emphasizes Dave Canales' plan for the 2025 season

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kole Noble | Last updated Oct 1, 2025 12:51 PM ET

The Carolina Panthers have a lot of things to fix and address this week before going into the Week 5 matchup against the Miami Dolphins after how the team looked last Sunday in a blowout loss to the New England Patriots.

Head coach Dave Canales is already considering some offensive personnel changes and on the defensive side of the ball, the team already made one major decision official.

The Panthers waived third-year defensive end DJ Johnson, who made his first career start for the Panthers last week. The former third-round pick becomes the latest bust out of the 2023 draft class with only QB Bryce Young and OL Chandler Zavala remaining. Not a good look and that class is one of the top reasons the team moved on from the previous front office regime.

After Panthers fired Matt Rhule but kept GM Scott Fitterer, they made the move to trade up for the No. 1 pick.
Bryce Young and Chandler Zavala are the only two left from that 5-player class.
No longer in CAR: Jonathan Mingo (2nd rd), DJ Johnson (3rd), Jammie Robinson (5th).
— Joe Person (@josephperson) September 30, 2025

But, the decision was warranted. Johnson struggled to set the edge and was flat out getting beat all game long against the Patriots. Moving on from him now also allows Canales to further commit to his goal for the 2025 season.

DJ Johnson decision will lead to more opportunities for Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen

Going into the season, Canales made it clear this team would be a developmental team in 2025, not something fans would particularly want to hear from their head coach. But, in Carolina's case, it's the best course of action and all of the recent moves going into the season back that mindset.

By moving on from veteran pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney and now Johnson, the Panthers have opened the door for rookie pass rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen to see a lot of playing time this season.

Scourton has already played 100 combined defensive snaps over the last two games and continues to impress the staff with his high motor. As for Umanmielen, the team's third-round pick has played a total of 67 defensive snaps through four games and will be in line for more opportunities to get on the field going forward.

Can already tell Nic Scourton's spin move is going to be a problem pic.twitter.com/QZK9BGo0UQ
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) September 22, 2025

"I can say that, you know, generally for our young group, that they're taking the challenges the right way, they're taking coaching, and it's a trust factor thing," Canales said of the young players. "Trust level will continue to grow with these guys as they show us we can count on them to get in there and execute."

Heading into Week 5, Scourton and Umanmielen have eight pressures and one sack (made by Umanmielen in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals). With a more defined role going forward, the two are itching to make more of an impact together.

"I feel like we can build on every game," Umanmielen said, via Kassidy Hill. "But really, to be honest, the way we started, starting fast, I feel like if we start like that every week, we can really be an unstoppable force."

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: