A Season to Forget
The Carolina Panthers defense in 2024 was historically poor, finishing last in the NFL in multiple major categories, including points allowed, total yards, yards per play, and first downs given up. The unit’s struggles set records: allowing 534 points, most in a single season in league history, while finishing second all-time in total yards allowed (6,877) and third in rushing yards allowed (3,057).
As the team enters training camp, there’s a clear sense of urgency to leave last year behind. “We don’t need to be anything close to that. 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,” cornerback Jaycee Horn said, via the team’s official website.
“Because that should be really all the motivation you need to come back to camp. You don’t want nothing like that to happen again. It was a lot of injuries and a lot of stuff of that nature, but at the same time, the stat book is what it is. Like, we weren’t a good defense last year, so this year we just have to go even harder than we did last year. It’s out there, yeah. I mean, you know it is what it is. You’ve just got to go about handling it the right way, bouncing back.”
Changing The Narrative
Leadership across the roster is committed to changing the narrative. Outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum emphasized that the group is motivated and ready to prove itself. “We know this is not the standard,” Wonnum said.
“And that goes back to the competitive nature that Jaycee, [Derrick Brown] and all those guys have on the field. It makes us want to go and compete more and more. There’s no getting away from it. And we’re not running from it either, but we’re going to show y’all, we’re gonna show the improvement, and how much better we are and how much better we can be.”
A big step forward will come with the return of Derrick Brown, who missed the entire 2024 season. The Panthers also acted quickly in free agency, signing Hunter Renfrow, Tre’von Moehrig, Tershawn Wharton, Bobby Brown III, Patrick Jones II, and Christian Rozeboom. While none are marquee names, they represent meaningful upgrades.
In the draft, Carolina added pass rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen, safety Lathan Ransom, and defensive tackle Cam Jackson. Each expected to contribute in coordinator Ejiro Evero’s scheme.
A Fresh Opportunity
Training camp begins next week, offering the first glimpse at how returning players and newcomers blend on defense. For head coach Dave Canales, this is a fresh opportunity. “For the defensive guys, it’s a new year,” Canales said. “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.”
