Teams in the NFC South are competing for supremacy. After a poor 2023 season, the Carolina Panthers made sweeping changes. The Panthers got better and worse in a few areas this off-season.
Where the Carolina Panthers Got Better & Worse This Off-Season
The Front Office & Coaching: Better
The 2023 season was not kind to the Panthers. Frank Reich lasted less than one season in Carolina after failing to get production out of a retooled offense. By moving on from Reich early, the team was able to get ahead of their coaching search and ultimately landed on an up-and-coming offensive mind in Dave Canales. After coaxing career resurgences out of Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield in separate stops, Canales became a hot commodity on the coaching carousel. With Canales in charge, the outlook for Bryce Young is brighter. While Young differs in playing style from Smith and Mayfield, he has traits that should fit the system Canales wants to run in Carolina.
The team did not have to hire a new defensive coordinator to improve its outlook for the 2024 season. Instead, the Panthers succeeded this off-season by retaining Ejiro Evero after he interviewed for head coaching vacancies around the league. Evero emerged as a top defensive mind in Denver and remains one of the best coordinators in the game. An ineffective offense made it harder for Evero’s defense last year, but he rose to the task and coaxed solid play out of the unit. Carolina gave up the fourth-fewest yards last season under Evero (per ESPN stats). The pairing of Canales and Evero makes this Panthers team one to watch in 2024, especially with the new talent on offense.
Offense: Better
The offense had to get better. At least on paper, it appears that has happened. A commitment to Young was reflected in the way Carolina handled their off-season. Along with their trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers to acquire Diontae Johnson, Carolina was aggressive before the draft by signing multiple starters in free agency. Johnson gives Young a veteran receiver who can take the number-one role until a younger receiver steps up. The younger receivers around Johnson are promising. Xavier Legette might have been a surprise to land in the first round, but he has all the tools to be a difference-maker at the next level. Jonathan Mingo has an enticing set of traits and is set up to have a better season with Canales in charge.
The improvement of Young will depend on his accuracy and decision-making, but it will also come down to the offensive line. Carolina bolstered its line by spending big during free agency. Young took too many sacks last season and it hindered his development. With a skill set similar to Tua Tagovailoa, Young will benefit from having a cleaner pocket and better receivers. Add in the fact that Carolina now boasts a deep rotation of running backs, and the ceiling and floor of this offense are raised. In many places, the Panthers offense got better this off-season. It starts with the pieces around Young.
Defense: Better
The impact of retaining Evero cannot be understated. Canales went on record to say just that. Another year of Evero running the defense should lead to consistency and even better production. While the Panthers did not give up many yards on defense, their unit surrendered the fourth-most points in the league (per ESPN stats). Evero has work ahead of him, but the talent on defense is starting to improve at all levels. Trading Brian Burns to the New York Giants might sting, but the team now has plenty of cap space for adding star talent in the future.
An improved defense in Carolina starts up front. If K’Lavon Chaisson can live up to the potential that made him a first-round pick, the Panthers defense could make strides. Jadeveon Clowney’s homecoming also raises the floor of this defense, and he should be plenty motivated this season. Adding Jordan Fuller to the mix gives the secondary more experience, but they need Jaycee Horn to stay healthy. Horn has what it takes to be an elite cornerback in the NFL and the team signaled their belief in him by picking up the fifth-year option. An improved offense should help ease the pressure on the defense. The Panthers made the right moves this off-season to get better on defense, and they have the right guy in Evero to put it all together.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
