Remember the Carolina Panthers’ defense last season? Let’s just say “historic” isn’t always a good thing. Despite big investments and Derrick Brown’s return, an analyst says there’s still a mountain to climb. Can new faces truly turn the tide, or are we in for another long year? What’s your take?

The Carolina Panthers’ defensive unit faces an uphill battle to redeem itself in the upcoming NFL season, following a historically abysmal performance last year. This ongoing struggle raises critical questions about the effectiveness of recent player acquisitions and the overall defensive strategy moving forward.

Last season saw the Panthers register arguably the worst defense in recent NFL history, conceding an unprecedented number of total points, partly due to the extended 17-game schedule. This record-breaking vulnerability was further compounded by yielding 35 touchdown passes and over 3,000 rushing yards, highlighting a systemic breakdown across the board.

Acknowledging these severe shortcomings, the Carolina Panthers Defense has made significant investments during the offseason in an attempt to fortify its ranks. The eagerly anticipated return of defensive stalwart Derrick Brown, coupled with several key newcomers, signals a clear intent to overhaul the struggling unit.

While Derrick Brown’s presence is undeniably a huge boon, even his borderline All-Pro caliber play at times cannot single-handedly resolve the deep-rooted issues plaguing the team. His individual brilliance, which included a historic tackle record for a defensive tackle in 2023, previously masked deeper structural problems, particularly concerning the NFL Defensive Struggles.

Beyond Brown, the defensive line sees additions like Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown, while Christian Rozeboom and Tre’von Moehrig step in as new starters in the secondary. Furthermore, promising rookies such as Princely Umanmielen and Nic Scourton are expected to play pivotal roles, injecting youthful energy into the Panthers Roster.

Despite this influx of talent and a renewed focus on defensive improvement, an NFL analyst recently underscored that the defense still requires substantial work. The pervasive issue of Run Defense remains a significant concern, as even Brown’s career year in 2023 saw the Panthers continue to be highly susceptible on the ground.

Digging into the 2023 statistics further reveals that the Panthers yielded the fourth-most points per game and allowed over 122 rushing yards per game, ranking among the league’s worst. While the secondary performed adequately, conceding under 175 passing yards per game, the NFL Analysis consistently pointed to the abysmal run-stopping capabilities as the primary Achilles’ heel.

Therefore, the true measure of success for this revitalized defensive unit hinges on the collective performance of its new arrivals and rookie contributors. If these players can collectively elevate their level of play, the Football Season Preview suggests Carolina might realistically transition from the league’s worst defense to, at best, a mediocre or even just a bad one, a significant shift that could profoundly impact the team’s prospects for 2025.