The 2024 NFL season has finally arrived. As a Carolina Panthers fan, I feel anxious regarding the upcoming season due to how things went last year. The Panthers performed very poorly last season, finishing as the worst team in the NFL and not even securing the first overall pick, which instead went to the Chicago Bears.
The Chicago Bears acquired the first overall pick in a previous trade involving Wide Receiver DJ Moore. This trade was initially believed to be heavily one-sided, but its full impact is yet to unfold. The Panthers yielded the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, along with a second-round pick (61st overall, which initially belonged to the San Francisco 49ers and used to acquire Tight End Brenton Strange), a first-round pick in the most recent draft (which led to the selection of former USC Quarterback Caleb Williams), and a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
In 2023, the Carolina Panthers had an abysmal season, finishing with a 2-15 record, the worst in the new 17-game format. After a 1-10 start, Frank Reich was fired on November 27, 2024. Special Teams Coordinator Chris Tabor took over head coaching duties but was also fired after the season ended.
In Charlotte, North Carolina, the Dave Canales era has begun. Canales was hired on January 25, 2024, and had the opportunity to bring in his own staff. The Carolina Panthers also appointed a new General Manager, Dan Morgan, who played for the Panthers from 2001 to 2007.
2024 Carolina Panthers Coaching Staff and Front Office Personnel
Coaching Staff and Front Office Personnel
-Head Coach: Dave Canales (First Year as Panthers Head Coach)
-Offensive Coordinator: Brad Idzik (First Year as Panthers OC)
-Defensive Coordinator: Ejero Evero (Second Year as Patriots DC)
-Special Teams Coordinator: Tracy Smith (First Year as Patriots STC)
-Notable Assistant Coaches: Jim Caldwell (Senior Assistant), Jessica Beckenstein (Head Coach Assistant & Coaching Operations Manager), DeAngelo Hall (Assistant Defensive Backs), Dom Capers (Senior Defensive Assistant), Joe Gilbert (Offensive Line), and Jonathon Cooley (Secondary Coach).
-General Manager: Dan Morgan (First Year as GM)
Notable Additions
- Free Agency: Jadeveon Clowney (LB, Ravens), Robert Hunt (G, Dolphins), Damien Lewis (G, Seahawks), Josey Jewell (LB, Broncos), A’shawn Robinson (DT, Giants), Dane Jackson (CB, Bills), Jordan Fuller (S, Rams)
- Draft: Xavier Legette (WR, South Carolina), Jonathan Brooks (RB, Texas), Trevin Wallace (ILB, Kentucky), Ja’Tavion Sanders (TE, Texas), Chau Smith-Wade (CB, Washington State)
- Trades: Diontae Johnson (WR, Steelers)
Notable Subtractions
- Free Agency: Jeremy Chinn (S, Commanders)
- Trades: Brian Burns (To Giants)
- Releases: Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Hayden Hurst, Michael Barrett
2023 Panthers Offensive Team Ranks
- 13.9 Points Per Game (T-31st)
- 265.3 Yards Per Game (32nd)
- 161.2 Pass Yards and 104.1Rush Yards Per Game (32nd and 20th)
- 31.14% Conversion Rate on Third Down (27th)
- 58.33% Red Zone Conversion Rate (21st)
- 20 Offensive Turnovers (18th)
2023 Panthers Defensive Team Ranks
- 24.5 Points Allowed Per Game (29th)
- 293.9 Yards Allowed Per Game (73rd)
- 171.5 Pass Yards and 122.4 Rush Yards Allowed Per Game (5th and 23rd)
- 38.01% Conversion Rate Allowed on Third Down (14th)
- 63.16% Red Zone Conversion Rate Allowed (5th) (As previously stated, this is just for TDs)
- 11 Takeaways (32nd)
The Necessary Step for Bryce Young
Bryce Young needs to make significant progress as an NFL quarterback. If you watched his performances last season, you would have seen a rookie struggling. However, there were some promising moments, especially against the Green Bay Packers. Young had a tough season, mainly due to a heap of protection woes upfront. The Panthers wide receivers also struggled a great deal, but the good news is that the refresh in terms of scheme and several notable free-agent upgrades will help him a ton.
New and Improved Big Boys
As implied, the Panthers' offensive line in 2023 was horrific. During almost every play last season, Bryce Young had to run for his life because he was constantly under pressure. The line's performance was so bad that it significantly affected the Young's ability to play. Adding to the team's troubles, Austin Corbett was attempting to rehab from an injury when he tore his ACL in January 2022 and experienced a setback in November 2023.
Anyone could've told you that pass protection needed a massive overhaul, but another part of the equation was bringing in someone to make those deals. On January 22, 2024, the Panthers hired Dan Morgan as their new General Manager. Morgan formerly served as the team's Assistant GM and, before that, was in a player dev role with the Buffalo Bills.
Morgan wasted no time addressing the offensive line by signing former Miami Dolphins Guard Robert Hunt to a five-year, $100 million contract. Additionally, he brought in former Seattle Seahawks Guard Damien Lewis, who signed a four-year, $53 million contract with Carolina. It can't be overstated how big it was that Morgan went out and made sure that his franchise QB has the chance to stay upright more often than not for a change.
Don't Call It a Comeback, I've Been Here For Years
Ejiro Evero joined the Panthers in 2023 under head coach Frank Reich and a completely different coaching staff. After the 2023 season, the Teppers initiated a coaching firesale, resulting in the dismissal of almost everyone from the Reich era, except for Evero and the defensive staff. When Canales took over, he retained Evero and most of the defensive staff due to the positive response of the defensive players to Evero and his coaching staff.
Evero’s defense will be improved with the additions of Linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, who will replace Brian Burns, and Cornerback Dane Jackson, who will play on the opposite side of Cornerback Jaycee Horn (who is prone to injury during the regular season).
Before joining Carolina, Evero had previous experience with the Denver Broncos in 2022. During that year, Denver’s defense ranked 13th in the league overall. The team had a disappointing 5-12 record in the 2022 NFL season. The Denver offense led by Russell Wilson struggled, but the defense performed relatively well under Evero’s coaching. Evero's departure from Denver at the end of the 2022-2023 season was a tough blow for Broncos fans.
David Tepper Steps Back
Last season, there was a lot of talk about David Tepper meddling in team matters. Some believe this may have been a factor as to why Frank Reich was not a successful head coach with the organization. During a Week 16 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tepper was visibly upset after the team suffered a 26-0 loss. In his frustration, he even threw his drink at a Jaguars fan. This incident was embarrassing for Panthers fans and added to the overall embarrassment of Carolina's season.
When people discuss David Tepper's performance as an owner, they often mention the Rock Hill incident. For those unfamiliar, Panthers owner David Tepper felt that his team needed a state-of-the-art practice facility. He identified a stunning 245-acre property along Interstate 77 in Rock Hill, South Carolina, approximately 29 minutes south of Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Tepper chose the 245-acre property as the location for the practice facility. However, he planned for the city of Rock Hill to contribute the majority of the $800 million project cost. Predictably, this proposal faced resistance from the city and county officials, leading to a battle. The project commenced in 2018 and was expected to be completed by 2023. Unfortunately, funding and legal issues halted the project in 2022, leading to the abandonment and eventual demolition of the half-built structure.
The fallout from this project was so severe that Tepper's company, GT Real Estate, filed for bankruptcy that year. According to WBTV, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based TV station, bankruptcy was approved by a federal judge. The latest news related to the Rock Hill incident is that the city is attempting to sell the land. WCNC reporter Anna King reported that Rock Hill John Gettys was “he’s hopeful…more investors will bid on the 250-acre site so they can move forward with the next steps. Until then, the lot that once brought hope and attention to the area now appears to be more of a burden. Could this season be Tepper's redemption arc? It's possible. He has announced that he is stepping back from team operations and letting Dan Morgan and Dave Canales do their jobs.
The Bottom Line
The Panthers certainly have the roster and coaching staff to achieve great things this upcoming season. With David Tepper stepping back and letting Dave Canales and Dan Morgan run the franchise, this could be the year the Panthers make huge improvements and get back to the way they were under Cam Newton and Ron Rivera. For now, we will be waiting to see the fate of the Panthers’ 2024 NFL season.
Defined Panthers Strengths
- Improved CB Room with the signing of Dane Jackson
- Most Stable QB Situation they’ve had since Cam Newton Left
- David Tepper seems to be stepping back and letting Canales have more leeway than past head coaches with a New Outlook
- Dave Canales is the right hire for Carolina.
Defined Panthers Weaknesses
- Major Concerns about the offensive line + injuries. For example, Austin Corbett (who tore his ACL in January 2022)
- Will Jaycee Horn be able to stay healthy? He has not had a healthy season since his rookie year in 2021
- Can Kicker Eddy Piñeiro stay healthy? Currently dealing with a lingering hamstring injury
- Unclear If They Can Make Up for the Loss of Brian Burns on the defensive line
Panthers Seasonal Outlook
Record Ceiling: 9-8
Record Floor: 5-12
NFC South Finishing Position Prediction: 2nd or 3rd
Team MVP: Chuba Hubbard
Main Image via
Comments