The Panthers’ loss in Week 17 should solidify their plans for the 2025 offseason

The Carolina Panthers have a long list of problems as they stand. Every single one of these issues was brought to light by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their Sunday walk over Carolina’s body. The Panthers entered today’s contest battered and injured. They left it cold.

A 48-14 loss doesn’t come without a comprehensive examination of the franchise’s present and future. Meanwhile, things are unlikely to get any better in Week 18 against the Atlanta Falcons. Carolina’s defensive problems continue to multiply as injuries mount, leaving coordinator Ejiro Evero with an empty supply of resources as he tries to slow down the NFC’s biggest bullies.

However, when it comes to future planning, today’s loss at Tampa Bay made it clear: Dan Morgan needs to buy some impact defensemen this offseason.

The NFL Stock Exchange, a popular league-wide podcast that focuses on the draft and free agency, recently released an episode detailing plans to fix the Panthers. In their exercise, they laid out a plan that called for Carolina to free up between $40 million and $45 million in cap space to spend this offseason. A number of impact free agents are slated to become available who could transform Carolina’s defense like Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, two game-changing free agent acquisitions in 2024, did for the offense.

Pass rushers Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick, corners DJ Reed and Charvarious Ward, and safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Camryn Byrum are ready to hit the open market. Signing any combination of these players, as well as selecting one or two impact defenders in the early rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, would completely change the Panthers’ defensive identity.

A spending spree to complement the healthy returns of Jaycee Horn and Derrick Brown is on the agenda for Morgan, Dave Canales, Brandt Tillis and Co. With Bryce Young already showing high-end quarterback potential during his rookie contract, it’s time for the Panthers’ front office to be aggressive. The Carolina Panthers have the worst defense in the league at 4-12. Recent competitive games against Super Bowl hopefuls Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs make it clear that Carolina is not far from relevant.

2024 was a year that changed the culture and laid the foundation for building a competitor in Charlotte.

2025 is the year for that.

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