An NFL.com analyst, Kevin Patra, has outlined two critical requirements for the Carolina Panthers to genuinely contend for the NFC South crown in the 2025 season, a division that remains hotly contested despite the struggles of some of its perennial contenders. Patra suggests that while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still the favorites, and the Saints and Falcons face significant challenges, the Panthers are the most viable candidate to unseat the Buccaneers. However, this potential hinges on two major factors breaking in their favor.
The first crucial requirement identified by Patra is the continued improvement of quarterback Bryce Young under head coach Dave Canales. Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, had a challenging rookie season, which led to a brief benching in 2024. However, as Patra notes, Young showed significant strides in the latter half of the 2024 season after returning to the starting lineup. In his final 10 contests of 2024, Young reportedly threw for 2,104 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions, demonstrating increased comfort and consistency within Canales’ system. More importantly, his confidence grew immensely, leading the Panthers on game-tying or game-winning drives in six of those games.
The analyst’s emphasis on Young’s continued development is paramount because the quarterback position is the most vital in the NFL, especially in a division where the other teams have significant questions at the position. The Buccaneers boast Baker Mayfield, who had a career year under Canales in 2024, but sustaining that level of play remains a question. The Saints, following Derek Carr’s surprising retirement, are reportedly looking to a young quarterback in Tyler Shough, a 2025 second-round pick, who faces an uphill battle. The Falcons, after their Kirk Cousins mega-deal reportedly “blew up in their faces,” are now pinning their hopes on 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. This landscape means that if Bryce Young can build on his late-2024 progress and truly emerge as the franchise quarterback the Panthers envisioned, he could provide a significant advantage over his divisional peers. The Panthers have invested heavily in supporting Young this offseason, maintaining stability on the offensive line, fortifying the running back unit, and adding more dynamic wide receivers. Marc Ross of NFL.com has even “guaranteed” Young’s growth in 2025, praising the Panthers for enhancing his supporting cast and believing he will prove why he was worthy of the No. 1 overall pick. The team’s fate, according to another analyst, “rests squarely on a major offseason gamble” – their decision to draft wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, believing he can become a legitimate No. 1 target for Young. If McMillan makes a smooth transition and complements veterans like Adam Thielen and a hopefully improved Xavier Legette, the Panthers’ offense could become well-balanced and capable of making “serious noise.”
The second critical requirement for the Panthers to contend is for their defense to “turn a corner” after last year’s struggles. In 2024, the Panthers’ defense notably struggled, ranking last in the NFL in points allowed per game (31.4), total yards per game (404.5), and yards per play allowed (6.0), as well as last in rush yards per game allowed (179.8). Such defensive deficiencies make it incredibly difficult to win games, regardless of offensive improvements.
To address these issues, the Panthers’ defense has undergone a significant makeover this offseason under defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. While specific details on new defensive additions for 2025 are still emerging, recent transactions show the Panthers have made moves to fortify their roster. They signed safety Tre’von Moehrig in free agency, a move hailed by some as their “best” offseason acquisition, to stabilize the back end of the defense after the entire safety room left in free agency. Derrick Brown is reportedly returning from a major knee injury, which is expected to make a significant difference on the defensive line. The team also used multiple draft picks on defensive players, including edge rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen, and defensive backs Lathan Ransom and JaTravis Broughton. There’s also speculation that the Panthers should continue to bolster their cornerback position, potentially by signing a free agent like Jaire Alexander or Stephon Gilmore, given their ranking of 30th in net yards per pass attempt allowed last season. If these additions gel, existing players improve, and Evero’s system becomes more effective, the defense could indeed “turn a corner” and provide the complementary play needed for a division title push.
Beyond these two explicit requirements, several underlying factors would also need to align for the Panthers to make a legitimate run at the NFC South:
Firstly, the overall health of key players. Injuries can derail any team’s season, and for a team looking to make a significant leap, maintaining health, particularly for players like Bryce Young and the retooled defensive line, will be crucial.
Secondly, the performance of the rest of the NFC South. While Patra is dismissive of the Saints and Falcons’ chances, the division is notoriously unpredictable. The Buccaneers, as reigning champions, will still be a formidable opponent. The Saints’ decision to move on from Derek Carr and potentially start a young quarterback like Tyler Shough could indeed be a significant setback, as could the Falcons’ situation with Michael Penix Jr. if he doesn’t immediately live up to expectations. The Panthers’ path to the division title will be significantly clearer if these rivals genuinely struggle.
Thirdly, the Panthers’ offensive line, a unit that saw stability maintained this offseason. They returned all five of their offensive line starters from the previous season, including Ikem Ekwonu, Damien Lewis, Austin Corbett, Robert Hunt, and Taylor Moton. This continuity is vital for Young’s development and the running game. The Panthers have invested heavily in this unit, reportedly having one of the most expensive offensive lines in the league. For them to contend, this high investment must translate into consistent elite-level performance, particularly in pass protection and run blocking. Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, entering his fourth year, will need to take another step forward and live up to his high draft pedigree.
Finally, consistent coaching. Dave Canales is in his second season as head coach, and the continuity in his system with Bryce Young is a positive. His ability to elevate Baker Mayfield’s play in Tampa Bay gives hope that he can do the same for Young. The overall coaching staff will need to make effective in-game adjustments and ensure the team is well-prepared each week to navigate a challenging NFL schedule.
In essence, the path for the Carolina Panthers to contend for the NFC South in 2025 is clear, albeit challenging. It requires Bryce Young to fulfill his potential and the defense to make a dramatic turnaround from being a league-worst unit. If these two critical components fall into place, coupled with overall team health and continued stability in key areas like the offensive line, the Panthers could indeed emerge as a surprising force in a division ripe for a new champion.
