CHARLOTTE — Now that it's July, we're officially in the ramp-up to training camp and the start of the 2025 season.
So now's a good time to catch up with the Panthers' opponents this year and see what they've done this offseason to impact this year's matchup.
We'll go through these in order, so stay tuned for our breakdowns of the whole schedule.
OPPONENT: Los Angeles Rams
All-time series: Panthers lead 12-10 all-time, with a 6-5 edge in Charlotte, as well as a 6-5 advantage in St. Louis and in Southern California combined.
Last meeting: These two teams haven't played since Week 6 in 2022, a 24-10 Rams win in the first game under Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks. The Panthers started PJ Walker at quarterback that day since Baker Mayfield was hurt, and Wilks threw receiver Robbie Anderson off the sideline in the fourth quarter, before trading him to the Cardinals the next afternoon before his team meeting.
There was a lot happening that day. And a lot has happened since then.
So here's a picture of Steve Smith Sr. catching the playoff game-winning touchdown in double-OT against the Rams when they still played in Missouri.
2024 rankings and results
Record: 10-7
Total offense: 15th
Total defense: 26th
Personnel moves
Key additions in free agency: WR Davante Adams, DT Poona Ford, OT DJ Humphries.
Key additions in the draft: TE Terrance Ferguson, DE Josiah Stewart, RB Jarquez Hunter, DT Ty Hamilton, LB Chris Paul.
Changes from last year: Sometimes, the biggest change is the one you don't make. After some uncertainty about his future, they retained quarterback Matthew Stafford with a new contract, which in itself gives them a chance to compete in the NFC. But after parting ways with longtime wideout Cooper Kupp, they backed up their intention to win now by acquiring former Packers star Davante Adams to go with Puka Nacua, meaning what could have turned into a rebuild is anything but.
They're a little light on draft picks (and the Panthers tried to make them even lighter if they wanted Tetairoa McMillan for themselves), but they did acquire the Falcons' 2026 first-rounder by trading out of the late first round so the Falcons could get pass-rusher James Pearce.
The Panthers continued to collect former Rams, signing Bobby Brown III and Christian Rozeboom, but the Rams have figured out the formula for replacing free agents with young players.
What to watch for in 2025: The Rams are still young and untested in the secondary, but they are also young and full of high-end talent in the front seven. Adding a dependable interior player like Poona Ford should add some ballast around emerging stars Kobie Turner, Jared Verse, and Braden Fiske.
This is also the Panthers' last game before their late bye, and they'll be coming off a short week and travel since they play the 49ers the Monday before this one. So this will be an excellent test of a young team's maturity against a solid roster with one of the best coaches in the league in Sean McVay.
