The Carolina Panthers have spent the first month of the season looking like two different teams. On one side, the offense has caught fire. On the other, the defense still needs help.
After a bye week, Carolina sits at 2-2 and is coming off a big win over the Detroit Lions in Week 4. The passing game has been one of the league’s best, with Bryce Young steering a unit that currently ranks No. 2 in the NFL in passing.
That kind of production has kept the Panthers in the mix early. The offense has given them real juice, and there’s no sign that part of the team is slowing down.
The defense, though, is another story. Carolina poured money into that side of the ball during the offseason, but the early returns still haven’t matched the investment. If that doesn’t change, the front office may need to get aggressive before the trade deadline.
One potential target that has surfaced is Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Donte Jackson. With the Chargers off to an 0-5 start, a shake-up could be coming, and Bleacher Report’s NFL analyst Kristopher Knox tied Jackson to Carolina as a possible landing spot.
The Panthers could use the help. Depth in the secondary remains a need, and Jackson has already been floated as a trade candidate this year.
Health has been an issue for Jackson, but when he’s been available, he’s shown he can still make an impact. The former second-round pick started 15 games last season for the Chargers and allowed a passer rating of just 56.8 in coverage.
For Carolina, that kind of profile makes sense: a veteran addition with upside, and not much downside. With the offense playing well enough to keep the team competitive, the Panthers have reason to look for reinforcements on defense if they want to stay on track for a playoff push.
In Other News...
Taylor Moton Returns After Frightening Scare In Huge Panthers Boost
Taylor Moton was back on the practice field for Carolina this week after a frightening health scare that briefly pulled the veteran right tackle away from football altogether. He had been diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, a diagnosis serious enough to bring coughing up blood and a three-month stretch on blood thinners, but even while he was sidelined from playing, Moton stayed around the team and helped coach the offensive line.
For the Panthers, his return is about more than just getting a starting tackle back in the mix. Motons presence steadies a unit that leaned on his experience even when he could not suit up, and coach Dave Canales has made clear he expects that influence to continue. The next question is how quickly Moton can ramp back up after missing game action, but simply getting him back on the field is a major step for a team that has already had to adjust without him. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Suddenly Have One Trade Deadline Question They Can't Ignore
Carolinas push to fix its pass rush got a major boost with the addition of Jaelan Phillips, a move that signaled how seriously the Panthers are treating a clear weakness from a rough 2025 showing. Phillips was brought in to help change the tone up front, but his hamstring injury has complicated the picture just enough to keep the front office attentive as Week 6 approaches.
Khalil Mack has emerged as one name worth watching if the Panthers decide they need more help before the deadline. The Chargers slow start has fueled speculation that a veteran edge rusher could become available, and Carolina has every reason to keep exploring ways to deepen a group that still needs answers beyond its headline addition. [Read more 🡒]
Dan Morgan Has A Panthers Roster Decision Fans Should Watch
The Panthers roster is opening up at an interesting time, with defensive tackle Cam Jackson going on injured reserve because of a shoulder injury. Carolina also designated Trevor Etienne, Taylor Moton and Tershawn Wharton to return to practice, though Etienne is the only one expected back in the lineup soon. That leaves Dan Morgan with some room to maneuver, and the next move is less about filling one hole than deciding how best to use the extra space.
Moton and Wharton each come with their own timelines, and the Panthers have three weeks to determine whether either player is ready to be activated. Morgan has some flexibility here, and the choice could say plenty about how the team views its depth and immediate needs. For a roster that is still sorting out who can help now and who needs more time, these are the kind of decisions that tend to matter later. [Read more 🡒]