The Carolina Panthers got an early reminder in the Hall of Fame Game that the back end of their defense needs work.
Against the Arizona Cardinals, the Panthers’ first real game action of the football year offered only limited clues about the starting units and position groups. But it did give a look at young players trying to carve out roles, and in the first half - with the score tied 17-17 - the game turned into a lively back-and-forth stretch with both teams moving the ball on the ground and through the air.
Even with some offensive flashes from Haynes King and the Panthers, the biggest takeaway came on defense: Carolina’s secondary was beaten up early. The Panthers allowed 148 passing yards in the first half, with Beck handling every quarterback snap. Beck completed 11 of 14 passes and averaged more than 10 yards per completion.
Jalen Brooks was especially productive for Arizona, piling up 3 catches for 99 yards in the first half alone.
That kind of production points to the main concern: the Panthers’ secondary depth is not where it needs to be. Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson were not on the field, and their absence showed. Football being football, injuries happen - and teams have to survive them.
Rookies Zakee Wheatley at safety and Will Lee III at cornerback both got first-half snaps and each recorded tackles, but they didn’t provide much resistance against the pass. They were part of a group that also included other younger, unproven players on Arizona’s side, and the results weren’t pretty for Carolina.
The Cardinals found success in plenty of ways, whether it was deep shots, post fades in the end zone or short completions that turned into yards after the catch. No matter the route concept, the Panthers’ secondary didn’t hold up.
There’s also the bigger roster picture to keep in mind. Jackson is 29 and will turn 30 in January, which is not exactly young for an NFL cornerback. Behind him on the depth chart is Akayleb Evans, who has 5 tackles, including 2 solo, and hasn’t produced a net positive play for Carolina’s defense in the Hall of Fame Game.
It’s only the Hall of Fame Game, but depth is a real issue in this league. Carolina already knows injuries can pile up fast, and this one offered a clear lesson: Horn and Jackson matter a lot more to this defense than maybe anyone wanted to think.
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