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Bold prediction by ESPN writer has Panthers finishing with winning record in 2025

The Panthers haven’t finished above .500 since the last time they made the playoffs almost a decade ago. One NFL writer says that changes this upcoming season.
Russell Baxter|
Nov 3, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales hugs quarterback Bryce Young (9) after getting the win against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
Nov 3, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales hugs quarterback Bryce Young (9) after getting the win against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images | Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

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Carolina Panthers

Start the countdown. As of today (Tuesday, May 27), the start of the 2025 NFL season is exactly 100 days away. That’s when the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys in the traditional Thursday night prime time opener on September 4.

There’s a lot of time to ponder between now and then as to what may happen when it comes to the league’s 106th season. Hence, ESPN’s Ben Solak came up with a ton of analysis in his latest piece, including 10 bold predictions for 2025. One involved a team that hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2017, hasn’t won a postseason contest since the 2015 NFC title game, and owns a combined 36-80 mark the past seven seasons.

Tre'von Moehrig
Nov 29, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) warms up prior to a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

“The Panthers will go 9-8,” proclaimed Solak, somewhat hesitantly. “I’m not even sure I actually believe this, as I have my Bryce Young doubts. But what I like so much about the Panthers is what’s around Young. Dave Canales has the goods and appears to be a future Coach of the Year. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero has the goods and appears to be a future head coach. Many recent additions—Robert Hunt, Xavier Legette, Tetairoa McMillan, Tre’von Moehrig, Nic Scourton, Princely Umanmielen, etc.—are players I have liked above consensus, too.”

General manager Dan Morgan and the team were very busy throughout the offseason, and this is a roster with much better talent. The club did prevail in four of its final nine outings in 2024, but the fact remains that the Carolina Panthers have lost 10 more games six consecutive years and haven’t posted a winning season since grabbing a wild-card berth with an 11-5 mark in ’17.

“I’m confident the arrow is pointed up in Carolina,” added Solak. “If there’s anything real in Young’s resurgence, the Panthers should be fighting for a wild-card spot.”

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Russell Baxter
RUSSELL BAXTER

Russell S. Baxter has been writing and researching the game of football for more than 40 years, and on numerous platforms. That includes television, as he spent more than two decades at ESPN, and was part of shows that garnered five Emmy Awards. He also spent the 2015 NFL season with Thursday Night Football on CBS/NFLN.