Three burning questions for 2025 Panthers

The Carolina Panthers have more reasons for optimism than most teams coming off seven consecutive losing seasons.

But have they done enough to be an NFC South sleeper in 2025? These are three questions we have that will determine if the good offseason vibes are warranted. 

1. How much will the defense improve from 2024?

Carolina bolstered its 3-4 defensive line by signing Bobby Brown III (three years, $21 million) and Tershawn Wharton (three years, $45.05 million) in free agency. With Derrick Brown returning from injury, the Panthers front three is in good shape.

The Panthers also signed safety Tre'von Moehrig (three years, $51 million). Per NFL Pro data, he ranked 28th out of 217 qualifying defenders in completion rate over expected (CROE) last season, allowing a completion percentage 8.4 percentage points worse than expected on 39 targets.

Even with the additions, holes remain for 2024's worst defense, particularly at edge-rusher and corner behind Jaycee Horn.

Carolina ranked last in defensive pressure rate (16.2 percent) in 2024. Veterans Jadeveon Clowney, 32, and D.J. Wonnum, 27, are the team's top two pass-rushing options off the edge and combined for 9.5 sacks last season.

Two 2025 draft picks, edge-rushers Nic Scourton (No. 51 overall) and Princely Umanmielen (No. 77 overall), must pull their weight for the Panthers to generate meaningful pressure.

Michael Jackson started all 17 games last season and enters offseason workouts as the team's CB2. According to Pro Football Reference, quarterbacks posted a strong 106.5 passer rating when targeting him last year, completing 66.7 percent of their attempts for 845 yards (8.8 yards per attempt), six touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Panthers liked what they saw (to Jackson's credit, he also had a career-high 17 passes defensed), re-signing him on a team-friendly two-year contract worth $10.5 million. While it's hard to argue against retaining Jackson at that price, Carolina needs him to play above his pay grade.

2. Can quarterback Bryce Young make another leap?

Young showed remarkable growth after regaining the starting role midseason following a Week 3 benching, giving the Panthers something they haven't had in years: Hope. 

Young's biggest strides came when facing pressure. Per Pro Football Focus data, during Young's first 18 career starts, he was 69-of-181 (38.1 percent) for 720 yards (four yards per attempt), one touchdown and five interceptions when under duress. He was sacked on 25 percent of those dropbacks.

Upon his return to the starting lineup, Young handled pressure much better, going 46-of-103 (44.7 percent) for 772 yards (7.5 yards per attempt), six touchdowns and one interception on 148 dropbacks while being sacked 22 times, a sack rate of 14.9 percent.

As many strides as he made, Young still has room to develop. If he does, his supporting cast will play a substantial role.

3. What impact could rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan have?

The former Arizona wideout, selected No. 8 overall in April's 2025 NFL Draft, instantly becomes Young's best target. Over his past two collegiate seasons (2023-24), McMillan had 174 receptions, 2,721 receiving yards (15.6 yards per reception) and 18 receiving touchdowns.

He's the ninth wide receiver since 2019 to be selected with a top 10 pick. The previous eight averaged 1,022.3 receiving yards and 6.3 touchdowns as rookies. Veteran wideout Adam Thielen has been Carolina's leading receiver the past two seasons, gaining 1,014 yards on 103 receptions (9.8 yards per reception) in 2023 and 615 yards on 48 receptions a season ago.

McMillan could be exactly what the Panthers offense needs to take another step forward in 2025.