What do the Carolina Panthers need most this offseason?
Hmmm . . . perhaps it’s a good idea to see what head coach Dave Canales thinks.
Well, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio did exactly that on Tuesday, while chatting with Canales from the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. Florio, on PFT Live, asked Canales which areas his team needs to improve on most for the upcoming campaign.
“Defensive-front play, first and foremost,” he replied.
That’s an obvious one, as the historically-bad Panthers defense allowed a league-worst 179.8 rushing yards per game in 2024. They also mustered up another league-worst with a 16.2-percent pressure rate.
Canales continued.
“Certainly safety,” he said. “We got one safety currently on the roster right now. That’s a big emphasis.”
The one safety is Demani Richardson, who will be entering his second pro campaign in 2025. Meanwhile, Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller, Nick Scott and Sam Franklin Jr. are all set to become free agents at the start of the new league year.
So how about need No. 3?
“And then, offensive weapons,” Canales added. “Who is that impact player? Is it a receiver, tight end or a running back? That can really help us.”
As of now, quarterback Bryce Young’s top pass catchers—at least the ones under contract—are wideouts Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders. And although running back Chuba Hubbard is coming off a career year, the depth behind him remains uncertain.
Canales and the Panthers will have a number of avenues to address those spots, beginning with free agency in a few weeks’ time.