Christian Rozeboom’s journey in the NFL has been a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of opportunity. As he steps into the 2025 season, the veteran linebacker faces not just a “new city, new challenge,” but a significant shift in his role and a rapidly changing linebacker room with the Carolina Panthers. After a career year with the Los Angeles Rams, Rozeboom’s move to Charlotte marks a pivotal moment, demanding he leverage his experience to help reshape a key defensive unit.
Rozeboom signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Carolina Panthers on March 12, 2025, a move that sent him from a familiar role with the Los Angeles Rams to an entirely new environment. This wasn’t just a geographical change; it was a transition from a team where he had slowly but steadily carved out a significant role to one where he’s expected to bring veteran leadership and immediate impact.
For a player who spent the majority of his NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams after being an undrafted free agent in 2020, moving to Charlotte represents a considerable change of pace. Rozeboom, an Iowa native, has openly expressed his excitement about being in a “smaller city,” feeling more connected to the community than in the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles. He’s reportedly found a house in the suburbs, close to fellow veteran linebacker Josey Jewell, creating an early sense of camaraderie and stability in his new surroundings. This personal comfort can translate into professional focus.
His journey to the Panthers was the culmination of a breakout 2024 season with the Rams. After years of primarily contributing on special teams and as a rotational player, Rozeboom truly emerged as a consistent force in 2024. He started 11 games for the Rams and recorded a career-high 135 tackles, five tackles for loss, four passes defensed, an interception, and a sack. He was, in fact, the Rams’ leading tackler in 2024, a remarkable feat for an undrafted player who had been cut twice by the team previously. This career year positioned him for a new opportunity and a more prominent role.
Rozeboom isn’t just joining a new city; he’s stepping into a drastically different linebacker room, one that has undergone significant changes in the 2025 offseason for the Panthers.
- Departure of a Longtime Captain: The most notable change is the departure of long-time Panthers captain and defensive leader Shaq Thompson. Thompson had been the heart and soul of the Panthers’ linebacker corps for years, but injuries in recent seasons ultimately led to his exit. This leaves a significant void in leadership, experience, and on-field production.
- New Faces and New Dynamics: The Panthers have aggressively reshaped their linebacker group. In addition to Rozeboom, they signed veteran Josey Jewell (from the Denver Broncos), who is now essentially his neighbor. These two veterans are expected to form the core of the inside linebacker unit.
- Youthful Talent to Develop: The Panthers also have second-year linebacker Trevin Wallace, who showed flashes of potential in his rookie season but also had a shoulder injury that ended his 2024 campaign early. While some analysts initially projected Wallace to start alongside Jewell, Rozeboom’s impressive 2024 performance and veteran experience now put him in direct competition for a starting spot. The team also brought in other younger linebackers, including fifth-round pick Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul Jr. and undrafted free agent Shaun Dolac.
- Emphasis on Depth and Competition: The influx of talent signifies the Panthers’ commitment to improving their defense. All three of Jewell, Rozeboom, and Wallace have starting experience, which provides the coaching staff with valuable depth and creates healthy competition within the room. This is a far cry from previous seasons where the Panthers sometimes had to fill spots with players signed earlier in the week due to injuries or lack of depth.
For the Panthers, Rozeboom represents a crucial piece in their defensive rebuild. His career year in 2024 showed he’s more than just a special teams ace; he’s capable of being a productive starter.
- Veteran Presence and Leadership: As a Super Bowl LVI champion with the Rams, Rozeboom brings invaluable experience and a winning pedigree to a Panthers team that has struggled in recent years. His journey from undrafted free agent to a productive starter and Super Bowl winner is a compelling narrative that can inspire younger players.
- Run Defense and Tackling: Rozeboom’s 135 tackles last season speak to his ability to find the ball and finish plays. His run-stopping prowess will be vital for a Panthers defense looking to improve its consistency.
- Complementary Skillset: With Josey Jewell also being a strong run defender, the pairing of Rozeboom and Jewell could create a formidable duo against opposing ground attacks. The competition with Trevin Wallace will likely push all three to perform at their highest level. Some reports suggest Rozeboom’s speed will add a dynamic element that complements Jewell’s “bruiser” style, potentially leading to strong synergy.
- Special Teams Contribution: Even with an increased role on defense, Rozeboom’s value on special teams, a role he excelled at for years with the Rams, will remain a significant asset for the Panthers.
- Culture Fit: His reputation as a hard worker and a “student of the game” aligns perfectly with what Head Coach Dave Canales and Defensive Coordinator Ejiro Evero are trying to build in Carolina: a disciplined, high-effort defensive unit.
Christian Rozeboom’s “new start” in Charlotte is more than just a change of scenery. It’s an opportunity for him to solidify his place as a reliable NFL starter and a leader on a team striving for relevance. The challenges are clear: adjusting to a new system, competing for snaps in a revamped position group, and helping to elevate a defense that needs to take significant strides.
However, if his 2024 performance with the Rams is any indication, Rozeboom is prepared for this challenge. His ability to produce at a high level when given the opportunity, coupled with his resilient mindset and newfound comfort in Charlotte, positions him to be a key contributor for the Carolina Panthers in the 2025 season. The “new city, new challenge” isn’t just a cliché for Christian Rozeboom; it’s a mission statement for the next chapter of his NFL career.
