5 critical offseason decisions Carolina Panthers need to make in 2025
The Carolina Panthers enter the 2025 offseason at a crucial crossroads. After a 2024 season full of growth and challenges, the franchise has an opportunity to reshape its future and solidify its place as a contender in the NFC South and the broader NFC playoff picture. Heading into 2025, the Panthers have several key decisions to make that will define their trajectory over the next few seasons.
In this article, we will explore five critical offseason decisions the Panthers need to make in 2025. These decisions revolve around key positions, roster moves, and overall strategic direction, and each one will have a significant impact on the team’s ability to compete in the highly competitive NFC.
1. Decide the Future of Bryce Young at Quarterback
The most critical decision the Carolina Panthers must make revolves around their young quarterback, Bryce Young. After selecting him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Young was thrust into the starting role in his rookie season. There were flashes of brilliance, but also moments of struggle, which is typical for any young quarterback adjusting to the NFL.
The Situation
Young’s performance during his rookie campaign will largely determine whether the Panthers see him as their long-term franchise quarterback. Early on, he showed promise with his accuracy, poise in the pocket, and ability to read defenses. However, like many rookies, Young faced his fair share of challenges, particularly behind an offensive line that struggled with consistency and pass protection. In 2024, Young’s performance was inconsistent at times, but his potential is undeniable.
In 2025, the Panthers must assess whether Young’s development in the offseason is enough to elevate the offense and make the team competitive in the NFC South. The decisions surrounding Young’s future will shape the Panthers’ approach to the 2025 season, particularly in terms of surrounding him with the necessary weapons to succeed.
What Needs to Be Done
The Panthers need to be patient with Young’s development, but they also need to make a decision about whether or not to invest further in the quarterback position with additional support. This includes evaluating whether Young is a “finished product” who can be relied upon to lead the team or whether there will be further growing pains.
In 2025, the Panthers must give Young more weapons, most notably a true No. 1 wide receiver, to help elevate his performance. They also need to improve his protection by strengthening the offensive line. The front office should avoid jumping to conclusions too early, as quarterbacks often need two to three years to fully acclimate to the NFL.
Ultimately, the decision to commit to Young as the franchise quarterback will shape everything from roster construction to draft strategy.
2. Address the Wide Receiver Position
The Carolina Panthers have struggled to consistently find production from their wide receiver group in recent years. With the departure of DJ Moore, the team’s receiving corps has been relatively underwhelming, featuring a mix of aging veterans and unproven young talent. In 2025, finding a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver should be one of the Panthers’ top priorities.
The Situation
The current wide receiver room is led by veterans like Adam Thielen, who, while reliable, is past his prime and doesn’t possess the explosive ability of a true No. 1 receiver. Meanwhile, players like Terrace Marshall Jr. and Jonathan Mingo have shown flashes of potential but have yet to make a significant, consistent impact. The lack of a legitimate threat on the outside has hampered the Panthers’ ability to stretch the field and fully unlock the potential of Bryce Young as their quarterback.
Given the increasing importance of passing attacks in the NFL, the Panthers must make a serious effort to bolster their receiving corps in the offseason. The market for wide receivers could be rich in 2025, either through free agency or the draft, and the team must be strategic in finding the right fit.
What Needs to Be Done
The Panthers should consider signing a proven wide receiver in free agency. Players like Mike Evans (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) or JuJu Smith-Schuster (Kansas City Chiefs) could be potential targets who bring a high level of skill and veteran leadership to the team. Alternatively, the draft could present a wealth of young talent at the receiver position. Players like Marvin Harrison Jr. from Ohio State or Malik Nabers from LSU could be available, and both are highly regarded as elite wide receiver prospects.
Another option could be exploring trades for high-impact receivers. The Panthers may need to be aggressive in trying to acquire a No. 1 target that can stretch the field, make big plays, and draw attention away from the other players on the offense.
Whether through the draft, free agency, or trade, the Panthers need to invest significantly in their wide receiver room to give Bryce Young the weapons he needs to succeed and help the offense become more dynamic.
3. Revamp the Defensive Line and Pass Rush
While the Panthers have shown promise defensively in recent years, their pass rush and overall defensive line play have been inconsistent. The team has a talented defensive front, but it lacks a dominant edge rusher who can consistently disrupt the quarterback. In 2025, improving the pass rush and bolstering the defensive line will be vital for the Panthers’ success.
The Situation
The Panthers have defensive playmakers like Brian Burns, who is capable of wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks. However, they lack a second-tier pass rusher who can consistently provide pressure on the edge. This results in missed opportunities to disrupt offenses and forces the defensive backs into more challenging coverage situations. Additionally, the interior defensive line, while solid, could use an infusion of talent to improve its ability to stop the run and generate pressure up the middle.
In the highly competitive NFC, a consistent pass rush can make the difference between being a playoff contender and being on the outside looking in. The Panthers will need to address this need in the offseason to complement their already strong defensive backfield and linebacking corps.
What Needs to Be Done
The Panthers should target top-tier pass rushers in free agency or look to the draft for a potential edge rusher who can come in and contribute immediately. Players like Frank Clark (Kansas City Chiefs) or Yannick Ngakoue (Indianapolis Colts) could be valuable free-agent options, assuming the Panthers have the cap flexibility to make a splash.
The draft is another avenue the Panthers can explore, with several strong edge rusher prospects available, including Jared Verse from Florida State or Tyree Wilson from Texas Tech, both of whom could immediately bolster the team’s pass rush.
Strengthening the defensive line will improve the Panthers’ ability to pressure quarterbacks, stop the run, and create turnovers — all of which are essential to elevating the defense to a championship level.
4. Decide Whether to Keep or Move on from Key Veterans
Every offseason, NFL teams face difficult decisions about whether to keep aging veterans on the roster or move forward with a younger, potentially more cost-effective alternative. For the Panthers, players like Adam Thielen, Shaq Thompson, and others will be key to evaluate, as their contracts and future roles on the team are central to shaping the direction of the franchise.
The Situation
Adam Thielen, who signed a three-year deal with the Panthers in 2024, is still a productive wide receiver but is now in the later stages of his career. While his leadership and experience are valuable, the Panthers may want to invest in younger talent to give their offense a fresher look. Similarly, linebacker Shaq Thompson has been a cornerstone of the Panthers’ defense for several years, but he is nearing the end of his prime, and the team may decide to shift to a younger linebacker corps.
The decision to keep or part ways with these veterans will be difficult but necessary for the long-term growth of the team.
What Needs to Be Done
The Panthers should evaluate the contracts of aging veterans and determine whether their production is worth their salary cap hits. If the team feels it can find suitable replacements through free agency or the draft, it may be time to part ways with players like Thielen and Thompson in favor of a younger, more dynamic roster.
This process involves balancing the team’s short-term goals (remaining competitive in the NFC South) with long-term objectives (building a sustainable, contending roster). If the Panthers decide to move on from some of these veterans, they will need to ensure that the younger players stepping in are ready to contribute immediately.
5. Focus on Offensive Line Upgrades
Finally, the Panthers need to make addressing the offensive line a priority in the 2025 offseason. While the team has some solid pieces in place, the line has shown inconsistency in both run blocking and pass protection. This is particularly concerning for a team with a young quarterback like Bryce Young, who needs a clean pocket and a stable running game to thrive.
The Situation
Despite having promising players like Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton, the Panthers’ offensive line has been prone to breakdowns, allowing too much pressure on Bryce Young and not opening enough lanes for the running backs. This lack of consistency in the trenches has been a major issue for the team’s offensive success, limiting both the passing game and the run game.
What Needs to Be Done
The Panthers should consider using high draft picks or significant cap space in free agency to bolster their offensive line. A veteran offensive lineman with experience in pass protection, or a young guard or tackle who can step in and start immediately, would be an ideal addition.
Strengthening the offensive line will give Bryce Young more time to develop and make plays, while also helping the Panthers establish a more consistent running game. Ultimately, this is a foundational aspect of improving the overall performance of the offense in 2025 and beyond.
