CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – The Carolina Panthers finished 2024 by winning 2 of their last 3 games. There is a quiet confidence with this team at the start of 2025, but they are keeping their expectations in check.
“You need not look in that direction (playoffs),” said Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan. “I think you need to go out there on a daily basis and you just got to earn it. Everything that is going to come to us this year is going to have to be earned.”
In the final 3 games last season, Panthers quarterback Bryce Young had 10 total touchdowns and no turnovers and that really has Keep Pounding Nation buzzing.
Morgan signed some really solid pieces during the free agency period and had a fantastic NFL Draft as they picked wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan in the first round and they doubled up on pass rush in rounds 2 (Nic Scourton) and 3 (Princely Umanmielen).
They have every reason to begin to thump their chest and start talking postseason. Instead, the conversations is all about earning respect.
“I have full confidence in our players, coaches, and staff to rise to the occasion,” said Morgan. “Together along with ownership empowerment, we aim to build a foundation for long term success while putting in the work and earning our arrival.”
“I like what I feel,” said Panthers offensive guard Robert Hunt. “Obviously, we have to play some football here in the next couple of weeks (training camp) and we will see how that feels and looks. Then we will play some other teams and see how that feels and looks. But I think we are built the right way. I think we are physical. I think we are big. I think we are nasty. We got new skills. I like what I feel.”
While the players and coaches aren’t talking playoffs, they are talking about the brand of football that they are creating and that brand should be familiar to Keep Pounding Nation– tough, physical Carolina Panthers football.
“I don’t think people are going to want to play us by the style of football that we play,” said head coach Dave Canales. “The sky is the limit for this group. This is going to be a competitive team.
“I’m right on board with him,” said Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn. “That’s just the mentality of how this team is going to be branded. A physical football team where win, lose, or draw, you know when you go see the Panthers it’s going to be a physical football game and you are going to be hurting afterwards. That’s just the attitude we have to have and that’s got to be our brand of football when we travel and play.”
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