We’re counting down the days until the Panthers open up the 2025 season!
There are 49 days left until the first game of the season for the Carolina Panthers. That means today’s countdown piece will focus on that jersey number. It is currently being worn by “linebacker” and special teamer Jon Rhattigan.
Rhattigan is entering his second season with the Panthers after featuring heavily on special teams in the 2024 season. He appeared in 16 games and played 82% of possible special teams snaps on the season, making him a vital part of the group. He got exactly one snap on defense. Kudos to anyone that can find that snap.
Prior to joining Carolina, Rhattigan played the same role with the Seahawks after signing there as an undrafted free agent out of Army in 2021.
Rhattigan seems poised to make the roster, or at least the practice squad, because the team clearly values what he brings to special teams. It’s not flashy, but it’s a thing NFL teams put a lot more thought into than most people on the outside do.
The number 49 does not have a storied history in Carolina despite it being the mascot of the local college team. Only one player of significance has worn the number here—Frankie Luvu from 2021 to 2023. It was a short lived tenure, but Luvu was a breakout star here and has etched his name as the greatest and pretty much only player to wear that number in team history.