The Carolina Panthers' offseason has been one of change. But for the first time in years, questions around the starting quarterback and the head coach weren’t on the minds of fans.
After having the worst defense in NFL history statistically, it was little surprise to see a big investment on that side of the football during free agency and the draft. While it will likely take some time for the new pieces to come together, most analysts expect Ejiro Evero's unit to improve.
Carolina also threw its support behind quarterback Bryce Young, drafting four offensive weapons for the third-year signal caller. These included stud wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 8 overall pick, finally giving him a true WR1.
After his return from an early-season benching, fans got a glimpse of Young's true qualities. With some continuity this offseason, it’s hoped that the former Alabama star will take that next step and propel the Panthers toward the top of the NFC South.
It's certainly fair to argue that some in the building should count themselves lucky to still be around after what can only be described as subpar performances in the 2024 season. With that being said, let’s take a look at five Panthers with everything to prove in 2025 after a shocking vote of confidence.
Panthers with everything to prove after shocking 2025 vote of confidence
D.J. Johnson - Carolina Panthers OLB
D.J. Johnson was arguably the worst move made in the Scott Fitterer era. With every poor move made by the former general manager, that is a damming indictment on the 2023 third-round pick.
Heading into his third season, the 26-year-old has done absolutely nothing to show that he has the skills or football acumen to forge a lengthy career in the NFL. The former Oregon man has amassed just 60 tackles and 0.5 sacks. That's not good enough for someone the Panthers traded up to acquire at No. 80 overall.
When the team released Jadeveon Clowney, many fans were rightly asking how the former No. 1 pick was a casualty before Johnson. One look at the salary-cap savings involved softens the blow slightly.
Make no mistake, Johnson finds himself on the roster bubble. The additions of Patrick Jones II in free agency, together with Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen on Day 2 of the draft, signify just how those in power feel about the edge rushing room.
The fact that Johnson is still on the roster is a surprise to many. Maybe his prowess as a run defender will be enough to see him find his way onto the 90-man roster, but Panthers fans would lose any sleep if he were one of the many culls when Carolina gets to training camp.
Austin Corbett - Carolina Panthers OL
This may come as a little bit of a surprise, but it’s hard to ignore the concerning injury history of Austin Corbett during his time with the Carolina Panthers. After starting 17 games in his first season with the team, he suffered an ACL injury in the season finale. That was the start of a torrid run of bad luck on the health front.
In the two seasons that followed, the former Nevada man has played just nine games, suffering season-ending knee and bicep injuries in back-to-back years. With this injury history and Corbett heading toward 30 years old, it was somewhat surprising when the Panthers re-signed him to a one-year deal this offseason.
Corbett has been more than reliable, but it’s difficult to ignore the fact that he has essentially had a season-ending injury for three seasons in a row. The Panthers have options at the center position, with both Cade Mays and Brady Christensen returning this offseason.
Even if Corbett isn’t named a starter, he provides valuable depth across the offensive line's interior. The key point for him will be remaining healthy.
If the Panthers see a recurrence of the complications that have plagued the player over the past couple of seasons, Dan Morgan may decide to end Corbett's time with the franchise before his contract expires.
Shy Tuttle - Carolina Panthers DL
It’s not to feel sorry for Shy Tuttle at times. Since being signed by the Panthers ahead of the 2023 season, he has consistently been asked to fulfill a role he is not capable of.
Despite defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero operating a base 3-4 scheme, which would require the Panthers to have a traditional nose tackle on the roster, they decided to deploy Tuttle in that role. The phrase square peg in a round hole comes to mind. It was little surprise to see the former Tennessee star struggle immensely.
According to Pro Football Focus, Tuttle had a putrid 42.7 grade for the 2024 season, which was 108th out of 118 qualifying defensive linemen. While there is some sympathy with the player, his performances have been way below typical standards.
Thankfully for Panthers fans, Tuttle should be a rotational piece moving forward. The Panthers have two legitimate nose tackles on the roster in Cam Jackson and Bobby Brown III. The return of Pro Bowler Derrick Brown and the free agency signing of Tershawn Wharton will also limit his involvement.
Tuttle took a pay cut to likely prevent his release, but this doesn’t mean the player is a lock for the roster. He is moving further down the rotation, and if someone like Jaden Crumedy impresses during training camp, he could be looking for a new home come August.
Raheem Blackshear - Carolina Panthers RB
The moves made this offseason show the Carolina Panthers have little trust in Raheem Blackshear moving forward. He finds himself at RB4 on the depth chart after Dan Morgan added both Rico Dowdle and Trevor Etienne to support Chuba Hubbard.
Blackshear made his name on special teams, and even that role is being brought into question. The selection of Jimmy Horn Jr. in the sixth round adds a different dynamic to the receiving room. The former Colorado stud also brings skills in the return game to Carolina.
Horn was impressive, albeit in shorts against air, at Carolina's rookie minicamp. Many have pointed out just how quick the player is in the open field. And with the NFL’s new dynamic kick-off returns, having someone with blazing speed is only a plus for teams.
This will likely leave Blackshear looking over his shoulder as we head into the next portion of the offseason. He’s unlikely to make the roster purely as a ball carrier with the names currently ahead of him. And if others impress special teams coordinator Tracy Smith, the ex-undrafted free agent may see his place on the roster go elsewhere.
Ejiro Evero - Carolina Panthers DC
Arguably, the biggest surprise for fans this offseason was the retention of defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. But anyone listening to the way head coach Dave Canales spoke toward the end of the campaign, it seemed clear that he would be going nowhere despite the team's struggles on defense.
Evero is a well-respected coach around the league. Every team deals with injuries, but the Panthers could not adapt. Canales was adamant it was not the scheme, but those operating within it. Still, it is more than fair for fans to question some decisions made.
Not knowing how to correctly utilize Frankie Luvu and Jeremy Chinn in 2023, persisting without a true nose tackle, and not allowing his premier corner Jaycee Horn to shadow the opponent's top wide receiver, just to name a few. The Panthers invested heavily in the defensive side of the ball this offseason, so Evero has little excuse moving forward.
The coordinator is entering the final year of his deal. Unless there is a miraculous turnaround, it would be shocking to see Evero given a new contract. One also wouldn’t blame the coach for wanting to move on and pursue a head coaching job that has alluded him to date.
While fans have been fair in criticizing some aspects of the defense, it seems Dan Morgan and Canales are giving him a good opportunity to at least improve the defense to some degree in 2025.