We’re just days away from the first meaningful minutes of Carolina Panthers football in 2025. Cauti0us optimism surrounds a Panthers offensive unit that started to come on a bit at the end of last season. The unit is largely the same as it was then save for some modest improvements at the skill positions. Rico Dowdle is in as a complement to Chuba Hubbard, which is something the Panthers didn’t really have last season. Also in is rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with expectations of becoming
a Pro Bowl caliber receiver. He’ll be better than the now departed Adam Thielen, but it remains to be seen how long it’ll take him to get there.
On the other side is a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that was probably worst in the league outside of your very own Carolina Panthers. They ranked 31st in defensive DVOA and 31st in yards per play allowed. To try to remedy that, they signed veterans Eric Murray and Jourdan Lewis to bolster their secondary then traded up to select do-everything-guy Travis Hunter, who should also help their secondary. On paper, it’s a more improved unit, but it’d be a stretch to expect them to be good unless new defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile can work some magic that the past regime wasn’t. There are names on the defensive side, but outside of Josh Hines-Allen, they haven’t performed up to their reputation in recent seasons.
That gives the Panthers offense a chance to get their season started on the right foot. Let’s take a look at the keys to a successful first day at the offensive for Bryce Young and company.
- Bryce Young needs to prove the end of last season wasn’t a mirage. There’s been a lot more optimism for year three of Bryce Young than there was for year two, but I can’t quite shake a nervous feeling about how sustainable the end of last season will be. It wasn’t the first time we’ve seen a quarterback thrive late in a lost season when there were no expectations, and we’ve seen plenty examples of those quarterbacks reverting to worse versions of themselves when expectations and real season pressure returns. Hopefully that doesn’t happen to Bryce Young, but it’s always possible. He has a new weapon in Tetairoa McMillan and the same offensive line that did a good job of protecting him this season. It’s a make or break season for Young, and he needs to get it off on the right foot.
- How does Tetairoa McMillan fit into the offensive plans? The Panthers did a solid for Adam Thielen and sent him back to the Vikings to close out his career. That was followed by Jalen Coker going on injured reserve. That means the rookie first round pick is going to be needed in a primary receiver role right out of the gate. He flashed a bit in his limited preseason action. The Panthers need those flashes to be a consistent presence for Young and the offense. We might get some McMillan vs Travis Hunter snaps too, which would be a fun watch.
- Can the offense find its rhythm early? It’s common to see a lot of teams struggle to find their offensive groove early in the season. The Panthers have a relatively soft opening stretch of the schedule before it gets tougher through the middle. On paper, the Jaguars are a great starting point for an offense. If the Panthers struggle, they might find it tough sledding to get going as the season goes on. For their own confidence and the confidence of the fan base, they need to put forth a good opening performance.
