Panthers' free agency moves show they're serious about improving in 2024
The stakes are high for the Carolina Panthers. Team owner David Tepper hasn't always been one to sit idly by. And it is no secret that he wants to see improvement in 2024 with second-year quarterback Bryce Young. "If we want to keep our jobs, we'll get him [Young] some help," a Panthers talent evaluator said […]
The stakes are high for the Carolina Panthers.
Team owner David Tepper hasn't always been one to sit idly by. And it is no secret that he wants to see improvement in 2024 with second-year quarterback Bryce Young.
"If we want to keep our jobs, we'll get him [Young] some help," a Panthers talent evaluator said to Miller.
Now, it's obvious that's a tongue-in-cheek comment, but there is a shred of truth to the statement. Because, like any NFL franchise, if the team doesn't win – the staff typically won't keep their jobs.
And when looking at the team's free agency haul, it's clear the Panthers are doing everything they can to make 2024 as successful as possible.
The Panthers spent $256.7 million in free agency. The big bucks landed the Panthers 15 players. Contracts for guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis set the table for the franchise.
Carolina inked Hunt to a five-year, $100 million deal. That was followed up by a four-year, $53 million contract for Lewis.
The object of the Panthers' improvement up front was to keep Bryce Young from being sacked repeatedly – something that happened frequently during his rookie season.
Then there was the trade for Diontae Johnson, a receiver who led the NFL in getting open in 2022, according to ESPN's tracking metrics. That will be huge in Dave Canales' offense, because the guy is a pro at scheming players open. At one point during OTAs last year in Tampa Bay, Mike Evans made the comment that he'd "never been this wide open". We all saw what proceeded to unfold in 2024, after that – Evans had one of the best years of his career, recording 79 receptions, 1,255 receiving yards, and a league-leading 13 touchdowns.
The Panthers are doing things the right way, so far, which should help the first year of Canales' six-year tenure hit the ground running.
