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Panthers insider names team’s biggest offseason need after NFL free agency

Despite a late-season offensive surge, the Panthers still have some issues to address when it comes to the back end of the league’s worst defense in 2024.
Russell Baxter|
Feb 25, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Feb 25, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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Carolina Panthers

It’s been a productive offseason to date for a team that has won a total of seven games the past two seasons. Carolina Panthers’ general manager Dan Morgan got off to a fast start this year in terms of trying to add talent to a defensive unit that was nothing short of horrific this past season.

Panthers’ writer Joe Person of The Athletic gave his thoughts on what area the team still has to address.

“The Panthers made a flurry of moves to address a defense that was among the worst in NFL history last year. But even after signing ex-Raider Tre’Von Moehrig to a three-year, $51 million contract and re-signing backup/special teams regular Nick Scott, general manager Dan Morgan still has work to do in a safety room that is being overhauled.

“Moehrig said he is looking forward to helping the young players ‘coming from college or whoever else we bring.’ Morgan is expected to target a safety in the draft, but he could still add another in the late stages of free agency.”

Tre’Von Moehrig
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre’von Moehrig (7) and Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) tackle Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tanner Hudson (87) at the 1-yard-line in the fourth quarter of the NFL game at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. | Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The former Raiders’ defensive back may be the No. 36 ranked safety by the folks at Pro Football Focus, however a closer look shows that only five safeties rank higher in terms of playing the run. That’s excellent news, considering the Panthers allowed the most rushing yards per game (179.8) in the league this past season. Along with the additions of defensive linemen Bobby Brown III and Tershawn Wharton, Morgan has taken the right steps when it comes to addressing this major defensive shortcoming.

Keep in mind that this past season, safety Xavier Woods led the Panthers with 119 tackles. There wasn’t a lot of support up front, and the loss of defensive lineman Derrick Brown for the season in Week 1 was a big blow.

Woods, whose grade in terms of run defense from PFF (59.7) can’t compare to Moehrig’s (87.5), is now a member of the Tennessee Titans. Again, finding a compliment to the team’s new strong safety is essential. This week, the Panthers had both Julian Blackmon and Marcus Williams in for visits. Could either wind up finding a home in Charlotte this season?

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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.