Panthers’ offseason addition joined elite company with his play the last two weeks and has been a key part of the defensive turnaround
This time last season, the Carolina Panthers were fielding one of the worst defensive units, not only in franchise history, but ranking among some of the worst defensive units in NFL history.It’s something no one in Carolina was proud of and wanted to change in a hurry. The Panthers knew the return of star defensive […]
This time last season, the Carolina Panthers were fielding one of the worst defensive units, not only in franchise history, but ranking among some of the worst defensive units in NFL history.
It’s something no one in Carolina was proud of and wanted to change in a hurry. The Panthers knew the return of star defensive lineman Derrick Brown would aid in improving the unit but the team couldn’t rely on one return to right the ship after making the decision to retain defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
So, general manager Dan Morgan went to work over the offseason adding pieces to the defense. In free agency, Morgan signed safety Tre’von Moehrig, defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton, defensive tackle Bobby Brown III, defensive end Pat Jones II, safety Nick Scott, cornerback Mike Jackson, and linebacker Christian Rozeboom. In the draft, Carolina went out to select defensive ends Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen along with safety Lathan Ransom.
All of those players mentioned have been immediate difference makers for this defense. Through nine games, the Panthers are allowing 22.8 points per game and 316.6 total yards per game. That might still seem like a lot, but through nine games in 2024 the numbers were 32.6 points and 391.6 yards allowed per game.
It’s a major improvement for the defense and one that’s played a key role in the team’s 5-4 start to the season heading into Week 10. While on the subject of new additions making an impact, one of those free agent signings joined some elite company with his play over the last two weeks.
Christian Rozeboom gets mentioned among Luke Kuechly with his production over the last two games
Rozeboom has totaled 12+ tackles in each of the last two weeks, becoming the first Panthers’ linebacker to accomplish such a feat since franchise legend Luke Kuechly did so in 2016. Rozeboom noted it’s “a huge honor” to have his name associated with Kuechly, per Joe Person of The Atheltic.
The official tally was actually 12 tackles in Week 8’s loss to the Buffalo Bills and 15 tackles on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers for Rozeboom. But, he’s not just being a tackling machine. Rozeboom also had a key punch out early in the game for the Panthers to stop a promising Packers drive.
It was a slow start for Rozeboom to get rolling in Carolina. In his first four games, Rozeboom only had 28 combined tackles. After that game, the staff switched up the defensive play calling duties, handing the role to linebacker Trevin Wallace instead. A move that Rozeboom, himself, noted has allowed him to play more free before and after the snap.
That move continues to pay dividends for the entire unit that’s starting to find a solid groove. And the more Rozeboom is mentioned in the same conversation as Kuechly, the better.
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