Optimism was relatively high among the Carolina Panthers' fan base entering the 2025 season. It didn't take long for that to evaporate.
Dave Canales was adamant that his squad could be more competitive. He was bullish about their chances of surprising people and giving everybody a run for their money. Based on Carolina's inept showing against the Jacksonville Jaguars to begin the campaign, they're a long way from reaching this standard.
The Jaguars won't have many easier afternoons than this. They were in complete control from start to finish, and the Panthers couldn't generate any real momentum to build upon. It was deeply concerning, so everyone in the building needs to take a long look in the mirror in pursuit of turning the tide.
This was a bubble-bursting wake-up call. There is a long way to go and a lot of football left, but things won't get any easier next weekend during another difficult road contest against the Arizona Cardinals, who began their season with a comfortable triumph over the New England Patriots.
That's for the not-too-distant future. For now, here are two winners and five losers from Carolina's disaster at EverBank Stadium.
Winners and losers from the Panthers' Week 1 disaster at the Jaguars
Loser No. 1
Carolina Panthers run defense
Stop me if you've heard this one before...
We'll put everyone together, although Derrick Brown was perhaps the only one to emerge with credit versus the run. That wasn't enough to prevent what quickly became another porous performance.
The Carolina Panthers were the league's worst run defense last season, giving up more than 3,000 rushing yards throughout the campaign. Dan Morgan invested heavily in the trenches this offseason to solve the issue. Unfortunately, it didn't work.
The Jacksonville Jaguars exposed Carolina's soft underbelly early and often. They gashed the Panthers for 200 rushing yards during the contest. No fewer than 143 of those came from Travis Etienne Jr., who was eager to leave a significant impression with his brother watching from the opposite sideline.
Excuses are wearing thin. The same problem keeps occurring over and over. Ejiro Evero's 3-4 base scheme cannot provide a solid enough base, and the lack of attention to linebacking reinforcements this offseason was another thorn in Carolina's side.
Whether this provokes Morgan into drastic action with another veteran remains to be seen. But he cannot afford to wait around on the off chance this embarrassing issue gets better.
Because there is enough evidence to suggest that it won't.
Loser No. 2
Nick Scott - Carolina Panthers S
Fans were perplexed about the prospect of Nick Scott occupying the starting safety spot opposite Tre'von Moehrig to begin the season. Dave Canales stated how well he's communicating in practice, but his on-field performance levels in 2024 didn't exactly warrant encouragement.
That proved correct in Week 1. Scott was a weak link that the Jacksonville Jaguars exposed almost at will. He's a yard off the pace and cannot wrap up oncoming runners effectively enough. He needed to make a strong impression and failed to meet even modest expectations.
The Panthers took a massive risk by placing Scott as the starter. It blew up in their face, so it'll be interesting to see if Ejiro Evero's stubbornness with one of his trusted players from a previous stop continues in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Evero would be wise to think twice. There is enough film to suggest this isn't going to get better anytime soon.
Winner No. 1
Jaycee Horn - Carolina Panthers CB
The Panthers placed a huge wager on cornerback Jaycee Horn this offseason. Dan Morgan gave him a lucrative contract extension ahead of time after a Pro Bowl campaign in 2024. On an otherwise difficult afternoon, he once again proved why he's among the league's most prolific shutdown presences in Week 1.
Horn shut down his side of the field with minimal fuss. The Panthers didn't allow him to shadow Brian Thomas Jr., which saw head coach Liam Coen scheme away from the former South Carolina standout. That's a trend that will probably continue unless Ejiro Evero adjusts his schematic concepts.
When Horn was tested, the Jaguars got almost nothing. And his acrobatic interception was nothing short of sensational.
one handed int❗️
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 7, 2025
📺FOX pic.twitter.com/pXrH8RdEVy
Unfortunately, this wasn't enough to give Carolina's offense a lift. It was a shambolic afternoon at the office where the Panthers didn't look prepared to play. Horn was a rare bright spot.
Loser No. 3
Xavier Legette - Carolina Panthers WR
Xavier Legette's rookie season was a rollercoaster. But after putting in the hard work this offseason, hopes were high that the 2024 first-round pick could start living up to his billing this time around.
Legette is under enormous pressure. This shows no signs of diminishing after a lackluster effort to start his exploits in Year 2 of his professional career.
There was one bone-headed play where Legette didn't get his feet down, denying him a big gain. This lack of awareness became an ongoing frustration last season, and the South Carolina product needs to rectify this complication as a matter of urgency.
The wideout eventually finished with three receptions from seven targets for just 10 receiving yards. That is unacceptable, and the excuses after games are becoming tiresome.
As Ladd McConkey and Keon Coleman, two receivers taken immediately after Legette, ascend to superstardom, the Panthers are stuck wth a development project. Big improvements are needed, and quickly.
Loser No. 4
Austin Corbett - Carolina Panthers C
The Carolina Panthers held a legitimate competition for the starting center spot this offseason. It could have gone either way, but those in power went with the experience of Austin Corbett over the improving Cade Mays.
Corbett earned the right to start. However, the former Nevada standout won't be looking back on his performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars with any great fondness.
The lack of cohesion between Corbett and quarterback Bryce Young was alarming. It was hard to keep track of the number of poor snaps throughout the contest, which didn't do anybody good. Perhaps this was some rust after missing so much football last season. But that's what the preseason should be for.
Some sections of Carolina's frustrated fan base are already calling for Corbett to be benched in favor of Mays. That's a little reactionary for now, but all eyes will be on the center to see if he can respond positively.
Winner No. 2
Tetairoa McMillan - Carolina Panthers WR
It wasn't all bad. Granted, the positives were hard to find, but the performance of rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan was up there among the most encouraging.
The Panthers are expecting big things from McMillan. Dan Morgan and Dave Canales ignored defensive needs to take the wideout at No. 8 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Trading Adam Thielen and losing Jalen Coker to injury only magnified the need to hit the ground running.
There was a lot to like about the way McMillan went about his business. He looked sharp and in rhythm. There was an encouraging chemistry with quarterback Bryce Young, and the first-year pro made some tough catches look routine en route to five receptions for 68 receiving yards.
This is a solid platform from which to build. Expect Young to target him heavily moving forward, given the struggles of others in the receiver room.
Loser No. 5
Ejiro Evero - Carolina Panthers DC
The heat was on Ejiro Evero heading into the season. It is absolutely scalding now after another woeful defensive performance in Week 1.
Hopes were high that the investments made by general manager Dan Morgan throughout the offseason would pay off. They still might (it's early days), but there is a significant amount of hard work ahead based on this showing.
The Panthers couldn't adjust effectively, which has been a thorn in their side ever since Evero was appointed. Jacksonville got what it wanted on offense, and the run defense was nothing short of abysmal once again to compound Carolina's misery.
Evero's 3-4 base scheme came in for severe criticism from fans on social media. The Panthers thought this could bear fruit once the personnel improved, but that might not be the case. And if this trend continues, the defensive coordinator might not last the season.