While the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs are predicted to have impressive runs this season, the same can’t be said for the Carolina Panthers. If the latest NFL projection is to be believed, their previous campaign is just going to happen all over again soon.
The 2023 season marked the Carolina Panthers’ third and final season under general manager Scott Fitterer and the first for head coach Frank Reich. The Panthers struggled significantly, starting the season 0–6, their worst beginning since 1998. Following a Week 12 defeat to the Tennessee Titans, the team dismissed Reich and appointed Chris Tabor as interim head coach. This firing was the franchise’s third in five years, reflecting ongoing instability.
The Panthers also secured the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from the Chicago Bears, trading away wide receiver D.J. Moore. They selected Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, marking the third time the Panthers had chosen a quarterback in the first round, following Kerry Collins and Cam Newton.
In Weeks 17 and 18, the Panthers faced further challenges, being shut out by both the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This made them the first team since the 2008 Cleveland Browns to suffer back-to-back shutouts. Ultimately, Carolina finished with a dismal 2–15 record, the worst in the league, tying the 2001 team for the most losses in a single season.
Notably, the Panthers failed to maintain a fourth-quarter lead in any game, with both victories coming from last-minute field goals after trailing by a point. This season underscored the team’s struggles and need for significant improvement moving forward.
Carolina Panthers Projected To Have Poor 2025 Season Based on NFL Projection
The latest projections aren’t really looking good for Carolina for the 2024-25 season. According to analyst Cynthia Frelund, the Panthers are only projected to win 4.9 games for their current campaign.
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Ceiling: 6.0
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Floor: 3.8
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FanDuel over/under: 5.5
Offensive guard Robert Hunt’s production was spectacular last season, his final campaign in Miami before signing a $100 million deal with Carolina in March. PFF shows that he allowed just five pressures, the second-fewest of any full-time starter at guard in the NFL, and surrendered the lowest pressure rate (1.3%).
While the Dolphins’ quick-strike scheme helped, there’s no reason to assume this won’t also be the strategy in Carolina. Furthermore, when using computer vision to look at all of the plays where Hunt had to block for 2.5 seconds or longer, he still prevented his defender from getting past him (forget allowing a pressure, just letting the defender get by him) at a top-eight rate among guards.
Following a disappointing season, where they struggled offensively and defensively, the Panthers aim to improve. With a challenging schedule ahead and a focus on rebuilding, the Panthers hope to break their playoff drought and establish a more competitive team.
It remains to be seen, though, whether the Panthers can change their narrative or fall under these expectations. In any case, the odds are against them as the new season progresses.
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