The Carolina Panthers, at the halfway point of the 2025 season, have already tied their win total from all of 2024. And for this franchise, which hasn’t finished above .500 nor made the playoffs in seven years, that’s certainly progress.

Obviously, the team has come together rather nicely in achieving this recent success. But they also wouldn’t be where they are without the help of a few standout individuals.

So, let’s recognize them!

Here are our midseason awards for the 5-4 Panthers . . .

Most Valuable Player

DL Derrick Brown and RB Rico Dowdle

Dowdle has had a phenomenal season despite not making his first start until Week 5, when the offense seemingly found its identity. The Gaffney, S.C. native enters Week 10 as the NFL’s third-leading rusher with 735 yards.

But Brown’s impact, which has elevated the defense from a nightmarish 2024, has been just as important for the other side of the ball—making this a tie. Having their Pro Bowl wrecking ball back has helped Carolina allow the 13th-fewest yards per game (316.6), a far cry from their dead-last average (404.5) from a year ago.

Honorable mention: CB Jaycee Horn

Offensive Player of the Year

QB Bryce Young

Although he hasn’t been putting up great numbers, Young remains one of, if not the most important piece to the offense. His playmaking ability—which includes his out-of-structure improv, escapability and timing—has proved to be clutch for this unit.

And if you don’t think that’s enough, just look back at what they did (or didn’t do) without him in Week 8.

Honorable mention: WR Tetairoa McMillan, G Damien Lewis, LT Ikem Ekwonu

Defensive Player of the Year

CB Jaycee Horn

The 2024 Pro Bowler is making a case for a 2025 selection.

Horn has already tied for his career-high in interceptions (three) and continues to play lockdown coverage. He’s led the charge for a solid pass defense that allowed the 15th-fewest yards per game (205.8).

Honorable mention: S Tre’von Moehrig

Newcomer of the Year

RB Rico Dowdle and S Tre’Von Moehrig

Again, Dowdle would be a clear no-brainer had he started from the get-go. But he finds himself in another tie, and this time with Moehrig—whose versatility and playmaking prowess has helped transform the defense.

Honorable mention: DL Tershawn Wharton, DL Bobby Brown III

Rookie of the Year

WR Tetairoa McMillan

The Panthers have gotten mostly what they’ve wanted from this year’s eighth overall selection.

McMillan has added a whole new element to the offense that has been missing for years. He’s on pace for 1,054 receiving yards.

Honorable mention: OLB Nic Scourton, WR Jimmy Horn Jr.

Best Assistant Coach

Joe Gilbert (OL coach)

This should not come as a surprise for anyone who has watched this position group closely.

Due to injury after injury, the Panthers have been forced to field seven different starting offensive lines over their nine games. Nevertheless, the unit has stood tall—displaying individual growth and depth while helping the offense establish an identity.

Honorable mention: Harold Goodwin (run game coordinator), Tracy Smith (special teams coordinator)

Best Win

Week 5 vs. Miami Dolphins

Sure, last week’s win at Lambeau Field was one of the biggest triumphs in recent franchise history. But their 27-24 victory over Miami was the turning point of the campaign, and provided a ton of optimism moving forward.

Young and Dowdle exhibited some heroics to come back from a 17-0 deficit, giving the Panthers their first of four wins in a five-week span.

Honorable mention: Week 9 vs. Green Bay Packers, Week 3 vs. Atlanta Falcons

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