The Carolina Panthers may not be in “win-now mode” just yet, but the burden to break their losing ways remains heavy.

Not since 2017 has the team clinched a playoff berth. That seven-year drought, now the longest such streak in franchise history, has yielded zero winning seasons and a combined record of 36-80.

And even despite finishing the first campaign under their new regime on an encouraging note, the Panthers should be feeling some pressure over the coming months.

Here are the four players who may be feeling it most here in 2025 . . .

QB Bryce Young

Young put his nightmarish start to 2024 behind him with a strong resurgence down the stretch. The 23-year-old totaled 2,327 yards, 20 touchdowns and six picks over the season’s final 10 outings, helping lead the Panthers to a relatively respectable 4-6 mark.

But Young will need more than just a 10-game sample to really scrub his underwhelming rookie campaign and last year’s benching away. Luckily, he’s in a pretty good spot to do so in Year No. 3—where he should benefit from the continuity under head coach Dave Canales as well as the capabilities of a solid offensive line and wideout room.

If the former No. 1 overall pick cannot prove he’s the franchise quarterback the organization drafted him to be, then Carolina might have to pivot at the position for 2026.

WR Xavier Legette

That aforementioned wideout room includes Legette—who, unlike Young, didn’t inspire much hope to close out last season. The 2024 first-rounder amassed just 497 receiving yards while leading the team with eight drops—one of which cost the Panthers a huge upset win over the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

Legette failed to stake his claim as the No. 1 target, a role that’ll likely be seized by 2025 first-round selection Tetairoa McMillan. He might also lose ground to fellow second-year receiver Jalen Coker, who was more consistent as a rookie.

2025, however, will offer up a fresh slate for Legette. He should be healthier than he was in 2024 and should have a more defined role, perhaps as a Deebo Samuel-type weapon, in Carolina’s growing offense.

OT Taylor Moton

The Panthers don’t seem to be committed to Moton beyond the upcoming campaign.

According to Joe Person of The Athletic, some within the organization have questioned the ninth-year veteran’s ability to maintain his health moving forward. Moton, who turns 31 in August, missed the first three games of his NFL career in 2024 because of triceps and knee injuries.

As he enters the final year of his contract, Moton might have to prove to Carolina—and maybe the rest of next offseason’s tackle-needy teams—that he can still handle the wear and tear of the trenches.

OLB D.J. Wonnum

All things considered, Wonnum gave a decent account of himself in the first season of his two-year deal in Carolina. Even after missing a bit more time than expected due to complications from multiple quadriceps surgeries, he still managed to post 4.0 sacks and 22 pressures over eight contests.

He’ll likely head into the regular season as one of two starters off the edge for the Panthers. But Wonnum could eventually see his duties overtaken by Nic Scourton or Princely Umanmielen, the team’s promising picks from Day 2 of the 2025 draft.

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