Panthers’ 2025 Optimism Hits Harsh Reality Check with Low Roster Ranking
Despite major offseason efforts to reshape their team, the Carolina Panthers are not earning much respect from some NFL analysts. While fans and insiders within the organization have been hopeful and enthusiastic about the steps taken to strengthen both sides of the ball, that optimism hasn’t been reflected across national media. A recent evaluation has handed the Panthers one of the harshest judgments of any NFL franchise heading into the 2025 season.
The franchise, which made noticeable upgrades after the 2024 campaign, is now facing a cold dose of skepticism from Sportsnaut‘s Matt Johnson. According to his updated rankings of NFL rosters heading into the new season, the Panthers have been placed 30th out of 32 teams—only ahead of the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns.
This comes as quite a shock to many who have followed the team’s offseason progress closely. After closing the 2024 season with flashes of promise, particularly from quarterback Bryce Young, there was an expectation that the Panthers were turning a corner. Instead, they’ve found themselves lumped in with the league’s basement dwellers—at least in the eyes of certain critics.
Offseason Moves Spark Hope in Carolina
General Manager Dan Morgan and the front office have been busy since the conclusion of last season. Among the most notable additions is free agent running back Rico Dowdle, who brings new energy and explosiveness to the backfield. The team also used a high draft pick to secure Tetairoa McMillan, a dynamic wide receiver widely regarded as one of the top ten prospects in the 2025 draft class. McMillan is expected to pair well with Xavier Legette, potentially forming one of the league’s most exciting young receiving duos.
On the defensive side, Carolina made multiple strategic signings to address weaknesses across all three levels. The goal was clear: give the team a more competitive edge and create a balanced roster that could compete with stronger NFL opponents.
But Johnson, along with others skeptical of the Panthers’ progress, appears unconvinced.
Analyst’s Take: Still a Fragile Foundation?
In his analysis, Matt Johnson focuses primarily on quarterback Bryce Young and the offensive line as the linchpins for any potential success in 2025. Young, who enters his third season, showed glimpses of his potential last year. But the analyst emphasized that if the offensive line doesn’t hold up, and Young takes unnecessary hits or regresses, then the Panthers’ season could unravel quickly.
There’s cautious optimism surrounding Carolina’s offensive front, and Johnson acknowledges it’s a solid group. However, he expresses doubt about the depth and consistency across the board, especially when injuries inevitably occur during the grind of an NFL season.
On the bright side, Johnson does highlight the long-term potential of the wide receiver room, led by McMillan and Legette. He also gives credit to some of the defensive pieces, including Derrick Brown, the star defensive tackle, and Jaycee Horn, the promising cornerback who could emerge as an elite presence—if he stays healthy.
But outside that small nucleus of core players, Johnson doesn’t see much else to get excited about. He lists Nic Scourton, Ja’Tavion Sanders, and Trevon Moehrig as a few more assets, but beyond that, he views the rest of the roster as thin and lacking impact players.
Reaction: Too Harsh, or a Wake-Up Call?
The No. 30 ranking places Carolina barely ahead of only two teams: the Browns and the Saints. That’s a jarring position, considering how much roster reconstruction the Panthers have undertaken since last winter. The ranking suggests that, in the eyes of some, those moves were either not enough or simply ineffective in terms of raising the team’s profile.
Many Panthers followers disagree. Based on the current talent pool and the team’s ceiling, some believe Carolina should be ranked much higher—at least ahead of franchises like the Titans, Jets, Colts, Giants, Falcons, and Raiders. If that were the case, Carolina would be in the 23rd or 24th spot, which feels more in line with their offseason efforts and the current direction of the team.
Looking Ahead: Can the Panthers Prove the Doubters Wrong?
The upcoming regular season will serve as the ultimate proving ground. The Panthers are now under pressure to back up the belief within their own building—and among optimistic fans—that the franchise has turned a new page. They’ll need consistency from their young quarterback, stronger protection up front, and a fully healthy secondary that can help the defense make timely stops.
What’s working in Carolina’s favor is that much of their success doesn’t necessarily rely on veterans with dwindling production, but on young talent with growth potential. If players like Bryce Young, Tetairoa McMillan, and Jaycee Horn reach the next level in their development, this ranking may soon look laughably low.
Of course, if those same key players underperform, then Carolina may again find themselves buried in the standings—and the criticisms that came before the season will have proved prescient.
The tension between optimism and reality is a familiar one for the Panthers, a team that hasn’t seen sustained success since their 2015 Super Bowl run and has struggled to remain relevant since the end of the 2017 season. Each offseason brings hope, and each regular season brings truth. The 2025 campaign will be no different.
Conclusion: Disrespect or a Motivational Spark?
In a league driven by headlines and hot takes, the Panthers’ placement near the bottom of preseason roster rankings can either be dismissed or embraced as fuel. It’s up to head coach Dave Canales and his revamped roster to show that they’re more than the sum of skeptical analysis and old narratives.
The roster isn’t devoid of talent—far from it. But proving that the pieces fit together, and that the young stars can carry this team forward, will be what ultimately reshapes perceptions. Carolina doesn’t need to be perfect in 2025. They just need to be clearly better.
Until then, they’ll remain underdogs—whether fair or not.
