The Carolina Panthers have spent the last couple of seasons rebuilding a roster that was once at the bottom of the NFL, and one of the biggest changes has come in a place that doesn’t always grab the spotlight: the defensive line.
That group was a major problem in 2023, when Carolina had the worst roster in the league. Since then, the Panthers have worked to reshape everything under new general manager Dan Morgan, and the results are starting to show. What used to be an abysmal unit has turned into a solid one, and that’s a huge step forward for a team trying to climb out of the league’s basement.
The difference is especially clear when you compare where the line was to where it is now. Without Derrick Brown, who missed the season after suffering an injury in Week 1, the old version of the group was badly exposed. The current setup on the field in 2026 looks nothing like that version, and that alone says plenty about how much has changed.
Tershawn Wharton is part of that transformation, even if his first year of the contract wasn’t strong. He’s still a meaningful addition relative to what Carolina had before. LaBryan Ray, who started on the interior defensive line in 2024, remains on the roster, but he’s now a backup who almost never gets on the field.
Wharton’s injury will put the depth to the test, but the bigger picture is hard to miss: this is still one of the most improved units on the roster, and maybe the most improved of all. That matters because the Panthers’ defensive line was a major reason for the historic amount of points allowed in that rough 2023 season.
Morgan deserves credit for more than just this one group, too. He’s also helped strengthen the offensive line, wide receiver room, and secondary by targeting the weakest spots on the roster and steadily upgrading them.
There’s still more work ahead, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if another unit becomes the next big two-year makeover. The linebacker group, with Devin Lloyd and a first-round rookie in 2027, is the one mentioned as the likely next candidate.
For now, though, the Panthers’ defensive line has gone from a weakness to a real strength, and that turnaround should be getting far more attention than it does.
In Other News...
Former Panthers Insider Just Sent A Strong Bryce Young Message
Bryce Youngs next chapter in Carolina is drawing plenty of attention, and one former Panthers voice thinks the setup around him is better than it has been in a while. Marty Hurney, who once ran the franchises front office, sounded upbeat in a recent interview about Young and the direction of the offense, pointing to Dave Canales confidence in the quarterbacks skill set and the improved roster around him.
For Young, the timing matters. He is entering his fourth season with real pressure to show he can be the long-term answer and put himself in position for a contract extension, and the Panthers are hoping the stability of Canales system helps bring out more consistency. Hurney also mentioned Jonathon Brooks as part of the broader optimism, another sign that Carolina sees more upside on offense than it has had in recent years. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Defense Still Has One Problem At Nearly Every Level
The Panthers made real progress on defense last season, climbing from the bottom of the league to the middle of the pack in total defense, but the unit still has a lot of sorting out to do before training camp. The front is the clearest example: Derrick Brown remains the anchor, yet Carolina may need meaningful help around him after A'Shawn Robinsons release and Tershawn Whartons neck injury left the group thinner than it looked a few months ago.
There are similar questions just about everywhere else. Jaelan Phillips gives the outside linebacker room a boost, but the depth behind him is still being evaluated, Trevin Wallace is under pressure to hold his spot at inside linebacker behind Devin Lloyd, and the slot cornerback job is open enough to keep the competition alive. Even at safety, there is still a sense that the Panthers are looking for the right fit, which is why this defense feels improved but not quite settled. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers May Need A Bigger Backfield Swing Than Fans Expected
As the Panthers look ahead to 2026, the running game remains one of the clearest areas where a roster upgrade could change the conversation. The idea gaining traction is not a minor depth move, either, but the kind of backfield swing that would signal Carolina wants more proven production and a more reliable weekly threat on offense.
The speculation centers on whether New Orleans would ever even entertain moving a veteran runner to a division rival, which already makes the whole discussion feel remote. Still, the fit is easy to understand from Carolinas side: the Panthers need answers in the backfield, and any pursuit of a trade would come with the larger question of whether the Saints would be willing to help a team they see twice a year. [Read more 🡒]