{"id":853082,"date":"2026-04-04T11:40:06","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T11:40:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/853082\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T11:40:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T11:40:06","slug":"jaguars-coach-liam-coen-highlights-why-panthers-are-on-the-rise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/853082\/","title":{"rendered":"Jaguars Coach Liam Coen Highlights Why Panthers Are on the Rise"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2024, the Jacksonville Jaguars finished 4-13 and in third place in their division. That same season, under first-time NFL head coach Dave Canales, the Carolina Panthers <\/a>won four of their final nine games and also were a third-place team with a 5-12 mark.<\/p>\n

Things can change rapidly in the National Football League these days. This past season, under new sideline leader Liam Coen, the Jaguars dethroned the Houston Texans in the AFC South with a 13-4 resume. Meanwhile, Canales\u2019s Panthers overcame a 1-3 start, finished 8-9 and captured the NFC South for the first time since 2015. <\/p>\n

The Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Atlanta Falcons all finished with the same record, but the Panthers won the tiebreaker thanks to a combined 3-1 record <\/a>vs. the other two teams.<\/p>\n

Panthers signed a pair of talented defenders this offseason\"Jaelan<\/p>\n

Dec 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (15) throws the ball as Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips (50) attempts to block during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

This offseason, Carolina general manager Dan Morgan added two big pieces to his team\u2019s defensive unit with the additions of edge rusher Jaelan Phillips <\/a>and former Jaguars’ linebacker Devin Lloyd<\/a>. The Panthers made huge strides on this side of the ball this past season. <\/p>\n

\u201cPhillips and Lloyd will join a defense that jumped from last in the league in total defense in 2024 to 16th in 2025,” said Panthers\u2019 writer Joseph Person of The Athletic. <\/a>\u201cThe return of defensive tackle Derrick Brown helped, as did the addition of several free agents and rookie edge rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen.<\/a>\u201d Brown and Scourton tied for the team lead with five sacks this past season.<\/p>\n

\"Nic<\/p>\n

Nov 16, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Nic Scourton (11) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Coincidentally, Jacksonville and Carolina kicked off the 2025 season against each other. The Jaguars opened up a 20-3 halftime lead and came away with a 26-10 victory. <\/a>Running back Travis Etienne ran 16 times for 143 yards in the 16-point win. <\/p>\n

Carolina\u2019s defense made strides in 2025 following a forgettable season<\/p>\n

\u201cCoen, who followed Canales as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers\u2019 offensive coordinator in 2024,\u201d added Person, \u201cthought the Panthers\u2019 defense was improved last season, despite the Jags\u2019 200-yard rushing day against Carolina in Week 1.\u201d<\/p>\n

At last week\u2019s league meetings at Phoenix, Coen spoke about Ejiro Evero\u2019s unit and the strides they made from the previous season. \u201cFollowing them throughout the year,\u201d said Coen (via Person), \u201cI know (Rams\u2019 quarterback and 2025 NFL MVP) Matthew Stafford didn\u2019t love playing against the Panthers. I know they improved in a lot of ways and I think it started with personnel, and the scheme matching each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mike Jackson intercepts Matthew Stafford for a Pick-6!<\/p>\n

LARvsCAR on FOX\/FOX Onehttps:\/\/t.co\/HkKw7uXVnt<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/J2yeGsyNZK<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2025<\/a>Panthers\u2019 defense must continue to improve\"Devin<\/p>\n

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) celebrates a fumble recovery with cornerback Montaric Brown (30) during the second quarter of an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine\/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine\/Florida Times-Union \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

One year after allowing an NFL-record 534 points, as well as 59 offensive touchdowns, the Panthers gave up 380 points and surrendered 40 offensive TDs. The team is still in search of a consistent pass rush, hence the addition of Phillips, and Coen certainly knows what Lloyd is capable of<\/a> as the former first-round pick comes off his first Pro Bowl campaign. <\/p>\n

A few more steps forward on the defensive side of the ball and perhaps Carolina could be looking at its first winning campaign since 2017.<\/p>\n