It’s all hands on deck for the Carolina Panthers as they look to restore some semblance of respectability in 2024. While expectations should be kept to a minimum during the first season under Dave Canales, the head coach is confident his team can be more competitive and hopefully, pick up a few more wins from a favorable schedule next time around.
The Panthers made widespread changes to their playing personnel throughout another busy recruitment period. Dan Morgan made no secret of his intention to re-establish the culture. Finding players with the right mindset was an important first step. Now, the onus is on Canales and his staff to implement their ideas quickly and effectively in equal measure.
If the Panthers are going to ensure the league starts looking at them differently, they’ll need more luck on the health front. Injuries decimated any slim hope Carolina had of making waves in 2023. If key men maintain optimum fitness, they might just have a chance.
With this in mind, here are five players the Panthers cannot afford to lose to injury during the 2024 campaign.
Diontae Johnson – Carolina Panthers WR
The Carolina Panthers are looking to make things easier for quarterback Bryce Young next season. They’ve added plenty of intriguing pass-catchers capable of improving consistency. Perhaps the most notable of all was securing the services of wide receiver Diontae Johnson via trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This was a low-risk move despite how things ended between Johnson and the Steelers. His exceptional route-running and ability to create separation will be a breath of fresh air for Young. The player should also be highly motivated to silence his doubters.
Johnson is an important piece of the puzzle. If the Panthers lost the former third-round selection out of Toledo for a considerable period, it could be a significant challenge for Young to overcome. It would also be disastrous for the wideout’s chances of getting another long-term extension in 2025.
Jaycee Horn – Carolina Panthers CB
The need for Jaycee Horn to end his injury jinx next season cannot be overstated. His coverage capabilities are nothing short of exceptional when fit and firing on all cylinders. Unfortunately for the player, these instances have been few and far between.
Horn’s turned out just 22 times in three seasons. His production when healthy is right up there with the league’s best. Showcasing this for a full 17-game slate is the next big challenge where the former first-round pick out of South Carolina is concerned.
Anything less could see the injury-prone tag firmly engraved on Horn’s career for good. This would be a worst-case scenario for the Panthers, who’ve placed a tremendous amount of faith in the gifted cornerback by triggering his fifth-year option.
This keeps Carolina’s options open with Horn. He’s altered his offseason preparation and looks in great shape, but he must avoid the same concerning issues that have blighted his time in the league so far.
Looking at the team’s cornerback depth behind Horn, this makes it even more essential. The Panthers seem confident enough in what they have. That said, their success is almost entirely dependent on their No. 1 option locking down one side of the field and more importantly, being available.
Having Horn in the lineup changes everything. The Panthers can relax safe in the knowledge he’ll handle the opposition’s best-receiving threat effectively. Should he miss more time, it might make this unit become a weak link quickly.
That’s a lot of pressure for Horn to handle. However, he’s got the sort of mindset and alpha-like qualities to take on this challenge and thrive. If he was forced to the sidelines, that might be enough for the Panthers to cut their losses and potentially seek to get something back in return via trade.
It’s a fine line. But for now, there is undeniable optimism surrounding Horn once again.
Bryce Young – Carolina Panthers QB
Everything has been tailored around quarterback Bryce Young this offseason. The Carolina Panthers are looking to make amends after failing the signal-caller throughout a disastrous rookie campaign. After an eventful recruitment period, things are looking up.
The Panthers remain convinced that Young has the tools needed to lead this struggling franchise back to the promised land. He’s a long way off from that right now, but those who wrote him off after one season without considering the mitigating circumstances attached could be eating their words when push comes to shove.
Young has improved protection, especially on the interior. His options in the passing game took a notable step forward. The Panthers are also looking to mold their offensive scheme around his strengths under the watchful eye of head coach Dave Canales, who’s gained a lofty reputation for helping struggling quarterbacks galvanize their careers.
Carolina pushed all their chips into the middle with Young heading into the 2024 campaign. He’s working exceptionally hard to grow as a player and leader, but the microscope will be larger than ever on his performance levels when competitive action returns.
With so much on the line for Young next season, the last thing the Heisman Trophy winner out of Alabama needs is to go on the shelf. He needs to be on the field gaining back confidence. An injury could jeopardize that considerably.
It would also leave the Panthers’ grand plans for progress in tatters. They have Andy Dalton – who is a dependable backup and played well during his one start in 2023 – but his skill set is far different to Young’s. Therefore, some significant schematic adjustments would need to be implemented in this scenario.
This is a crossroads campaign for Young. While it would take something drastic for the Panthers to cut this gamble short after two seasons, there’s also a severe need to improve consistency and make sure Carolina’s faith is repaid in some capacity.
Derrick Brown – Carolina Panthers DL
The Carolina Panthers don’t have many franchise cornerstone pieces. Most worthy of that distinction have been traded away in recent years. Fortunately, the new regime recognized Derrick Brown’s importance and reacted accordingly.
After breaking the NFL’s single-season tackle record for interior defensive linemen, Brown had a tremendous amount of leverage heading into the offseason. Fans were watching his contract talks closely after how those in power previously mismanaged Brian Burns’ contract situation. Thankfully, everything went off without a hitch.
Brown penned a lucrative new contract that keeps the former first-round pick out of Auburn around for his prime years. The Pro Bowler is now being paid among the league’s best at the position. Putting this positive momentum to good use in 2024 could see the player enter All-Pro consideration along the way.
The Panthers are once again relying heavily on Brown next season. A’Shawn Robinson is a new arrival who should be an upgraded partner for the mainstay. Options are a little thin on the ground aside from that, so keeping this starting 3-4 defensive end tandem on the field at all times is imperative.
Fortunately, Brown knows how to take care of his body despite the violent position in which he plays. He’s not missed a game for two seasons and always seems to be in peak physical condition. But with added attention coming his way from opposing protection schemes, all it takes is one awkward collision to change that in an instant.
If Brown missed time, the Panthers would be relying on the likes of Nick Thurman, LaBryan Ray, or sixth-round pick Jaden Crumedy. The fifth-year pro is nothing short of indispensable. Losing him would put pay to their defensive hopes of being competitive under progressive coordinator Ejiro Evero in 2024.
Brown is a strong character and a hugely influential presence. With big money comes big responsibility – something the player is abundantly aware of.
Damien Lewis – Carolina Panthers OL
Solidifying the offensive line quickly became a top priority for the Carolina Panthers when the legal tampering period before free agency commenced. Dan Morgan didn’t have much money to spend, but he allocated a substantial amount to ensure quarterback Bryce Young has interior protection to depend upon in 2024.
Robert Hunt was the first marquee arrival, penning a $100 million deal that included a $26.5 million signing bonus and $63 million guaranteed. Morgan wasn’t done there.
The new general manager also secured Damien Lewis, who’s got a previous working relationship with head coach Dave Canales from their time together on the Seattle Seahawks. He got a four-year, $53 million contract with a $15 million signing bonus and $26.21 million guaranteed.
Lewis immediately becomes Carolina’s starting left guard. He should form a formidable partnership with Hunt and converted center Austin Corbett. Of the three, he’s arguably the most important.
Robert Hunt was the first marquee arrival, penning a $100 million deal that included a $26.5 million signing bonus and $63 million guaranteed. Morgan wasn’t done there.
The new general manager also secured Damien Lewis, who’s got a previous working relationship with head coach Dave Canales from their time together on the Seattle Seahawks. He got a four-year, $53 million contract with a $15 million signing bonus and $26.21 million guaranteed.
Lewis immediately becomes Carolina’s starting left guard. He should form a formidable partnership with Hunt and converted center Austin Corbett. Of the three, he’s arguably the most important.
In the event Lewis missed time, Christensen would step back into the left guard role. But if the Panthers had any confidence, those in power wouldn’t have shelled out a hefty commitment to get what they believe to be a massive upgrade.
That’s why Lewis is pivotal to the Panthers – and Ekwonu’s – hopes of bouncing back in 2024.
Jadeveon Clowney – Carolina Panthers OLB
Dan Morgan felt there was no option other than to trade Brian Burns this offseason. The edge rusher’s relationship with the organization went way beyond breaking point thanks to the previous regime’s incompetence. After the Carolina Panthers placed him under the franchise tag, they accepted the New York Giants’ offer as another top star in their prime departed the ranks.
If that wasn’t bad enough, the Panthers also lost Yetur Gross-Matos and Frankie Luvu in free agency. This decimated their pass-rushing options, so signing Jadeveon Clowney was a real boost to the unit. It also represented a statement of intent from the front office given the esteem in which the veteran is held around the league.
Playing closer to home and the added security of a two-year deal helped. However, Clowney wouldn’t have joined the Panthers if he didn’t believe this was a project worth being part of. This legitimizes Morgan’s plans, but keeping the aging edge presence healthy for an entire campaign is paramount.
The former No. 1 overall selection out of South Carolina is the top dog in the edge rushing room. D.J. Wonnum should also feature heavily providing he makes a full recovery from his partially torn quad. Aside from this duo, the cupboard is bare unless someone takes a monumental surge forward development-wise.
This could be placing too much pressure on Clowney, in all honesty. He’s a solid veteran and a tremendous asset against the run, but his ability to generate sacks has been sketchy throughout his pro career after coming into the NFL with generational upside.
Morgan could easily acquire another dependable piece or two. The Panthers have the No. 1 waiver priority and plan to make the most of it. Any help the franchise can get to bolster their edge rush would be beneficial. Until then, the onus is on Clowney to stay healthy and produce.
