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: Miami Dolphins
All-time series: The Panthers trail the series 2-6 (Carolina is 1-2 at home, 1-4 in Hard Rock Stadium).
Last year: Given the divisional matchups, the Panthers and Dolphins didn't play each other 2024. Their last regular season matchup was in 2023, a 42-21 loss for the Panthers in Miami. The two former Alabama quarterbacks, Bryce Young and Tua Tagovailoa, both threw for over 200-yards, but Tagovailoa put up three touchdowns to Young's one.
The Dolphins haven't traveled to Charlotte since the 2017 season. That game was a Monday Night Football showdown that Carolina won 45-21. Cam Newton threw for four touchdowns, Jonathan Stewart ran for 110 yards, and the defense picked off Jay Cutler once.
2024 rankings and results
Record: 8-9
Total offense: 18th
Total defense: 4th
Personnel moves
Key additions in free agency: G James Daniels, LB Tyrel Dodson, QB Zach Wilson, WR Nick Westbrook, CB Ifeatu Melifonwu. Also added CB Minkah Fitzpatrick in trade with Steelers, as well as TE Darren Waller after a year of retirement.
Key additions in the draft: DT Kenneth Grant, OT Jonah Savaiinaea, DT Jordan Phillips, CB Jason Marshall Jr., S Dante Trader Jr., RB Ollie Gordon II, QB Quinn Ewers, DT Zeek Biggers.
Changes from last year: On the surface, the Dolphins didn't change a lot from last year. The quarterback remains the same, the playmakers on offense are largely the same, despite the departure of RB Raheem Mostert, and the bulk of the coaching staff is still in place. But the changes they did make were big, and have been deeper into the summer.
On June 30, the Dolphins traded CB Jalen Ramsey and TE Jonnu Smith (plus a 2027 seventh-round pick) to the Steelers, in exchanges for S Minkah Fitzpatrick. This is a return for Fitzpatrick, who was drafted to Miami in 2018, but could never quite find his footing with the then staff. Now, he gets a second shot in a secondary that will need the veteran experience.
After trading Smith—who was the second leading receiving for Tua last season with 884 yards and a team-leading 88 receptions—the Dolphins needed some proven tight-end production. Given how late the calendar is into free agency, Miami had to get creative. That meant talking Darren Waller out of retirement. The tight end will technically come to Miami via a trade with the New York Giants, whom he last played for. A former Pro Bowler with eight years in the league, Waller had 52 receptions for 552 yards and a touchdown in 2024.
What to watch for in 2025: The Dolphins strength in 2024 was their front-seven on defense. They only got better, adding Kenneth Grant in the draft. And while the change in the secondary—Ramsey for Fitzpatrick—will be interesting to watch, the real question marks on the Dolphins exist on the offensive side.
Tua suffered his third diagnosed concussion in two years in Week 2 of the 2024 season. He was out for four games, with serious questions about his future arising. Ultimately, he returned and went 74.5%, throwing for 2,384 yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions over a nine-game stretch before a hip injury in Week 16 sidelined him for the rest of the season. So yet again, Tua's health remains something to keep an eye on entering the 2025 season. Furthermore, his ability to connect with Waller quickly will make a big difference in Mike McDaniel's offense. The Dolphins will also look for Tyreek Hill to have a bounce back season after his first sub-1,000 yard season since 2019.
Carolina is 2-4 all-time against Miami, dating back to 1998.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler (9) chats with Carolina Panthers' Jimmy Hitchcock, left, following the 23-6 Dolphins win Sunday Nov. 4, 2001, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami. Fiedler was 20-for-33 for 287 yards and a score, with one interception. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Devin Funchess celebrates a touchdown during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) gets off a pass as he is pressured by Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison (97) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Panthers defeated the Dolphins 20-16. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Ed Dickson catches a pass for a touchdown during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
Devin Funchess makes a reception for a touchdown during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
Cam Newton carries the football during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
Carolina Panthers' Jon Beason (52) and Na'il Diggs (53) during the second half an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino (13) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Nov. 15, 1998. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Christian McCaffrey runs for a touchdown during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) waves as he walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Olsen scored the winning touchdown as the Panthers defeated the Dolphins 20-16. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2013, file photo, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) avoids a tackle by Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan (95) to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Panthers want fourth-year quarterback Cam Newton to throw more and run less as he continues to grow as an NFL quarterback. That's because they want the two-time Pro Bowler to stay healthy. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Thomas (22) intercepts a ball intended for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace (11) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Dolphins' Reshard Matthews (20) tackles Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) during a NFL football game in Miami, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Panthers won 20-16. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) is congratulated by Dante Rosario (88) after Smith's touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Thomas Davis (58) breaks up a pass play for Miami Dolphins' Charles Clay (42) during a NFL football game in Miami, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Panthers won 20-16. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme scrambles for yards against the Miami Dolphins in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Miami Dolphins' Chad Henne (7) is shown during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) runs against the Miami Dolphins in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Jake Delhomme (17) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
A Carolina Panther fan is shown during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
FILE Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) slips away from Miami Dolphins' Travis Daniels (21) on his way to the endzone for his third touchdown of the day during the fourth quarter at Dolphins Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005, in Miami. Coming off the best game of his career, Smith is ready to prove he has taken his game to the next level. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, OCT. 15-16FILE** Miami Dolphins Ronnie Brown (23) rushes as Carolina Panthers Mike Minter (30) tackles him during the first quarter, at Dolphins Stadium in Miami, Fla. Sunday Sept. 25, 2005. Ricky Williams' debut following a one-year retirement is sure to overshadow a long-awaited match-up between rookies, and former Auburn teammates, Ronnie Brown and Carnell "Cadillac" Williams this week when the Dolphins face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chris Chambers, top, lands on top of Carolina Panthers cornerback Jimmy Hitchcock (37) as Chambers reels in a long pass in the first half from quarterback Jay Fiedler Sunday Nov. 4, 2001, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Carolina Panthers' Vinny Ciurciu (50) breaks up a pass intended for Miami Dolphins Chris Chambers (84) during the first quarter at Dophins Stadium Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) gets away from Miami Dolphins' Jason Taylor for a touchdown in the second quarter at Dophins Stadium Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005, in Miami. (AP Photo/Luis Alvarez)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Gus Frerotte drops back for a pass Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005, during a game against the Carolina Panthers. Even with a bye, the Miami Dolphins had a good day. All three AFC East rivals lost Sunday, leaving Miami alone atop the division for the first time in three years. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Miami Dolphins cornerback Patrick Surtain (23) intercepts a pass from Carolina Panthers quarterback Chris Weinke and runs it back for a touchdown as teammate Brian Walker (45) helps on the play Sunday, Nov. 4, 2001, in Miami. Panthers' Mushin Muhammad (87) gives chase. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
