The Carolina Panthers hit the field for Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on Tuesday, engaging in a spirited competition between the offense and defense based on a points system. When the dust settled, the defense emerged victorious, a rare highlight for a unit that struggled mightily in 2024. Despite a late-season surge with four wins in their final nine games, led by a revitalized Bryce Young, the Panthers’ defense set an unfortunate NFL record by surrendering 534 points, the most in a single season. They managed to hold just one of their 17 opponents to under 20 points, while also ranking as the league’s worst in total yards and rushing yards allowed, with a pass rush that tied for the third-fewest sacks at 32.
General manager Dan Morgan took decisive action in the offseason, prioritizing a rebuild of Ejiro Evero’s beleaguered defensive unit. Through free agency and the draft, Morgan brought in a slew of new talent to bolster the team’s weakest link. Among the key additions is edge rusher Patrick Jones II, who joined the Panthers after a career-best seven-sack season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. Jones was part of the victorious defensive squad during Tuesday’s OTA and spoke passionately about the team’s potential.
“That’s what it’s all about, man,” said the four-year veteran. “People take it real seriously. It is a serious game, but at the end of the day, it’s a game. So, whenever people get together, and you see the whole team celebrating like that and everybody having fun, that’s when you know that’s just the beginning of building something very special.”
The Panthers are long overdue for a turnaround, having not seen a winning season or playoff appearance since 2017. Jones, alongside other new additions like veteran defenders Tre’Von Moehrig, Tershawn Wharton, and Bobby Brown III, as well as rookies Nic Scourton, Princely Umanmielen, and Cam Jackson, is poised to transform the defense’s fortunes. With this influx of talent and a renewed sense of camaraderie, Jones believes the Panthers are on the verge of something extraordinary, ready to surprise the NFL in the upcoming season.