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: New York Jets
All-time series: The Panthers lead this series 5-3. (Carolina is 4-1at home, 1-2 in New York, aka New Jersey).
Last year: Carolina hasn't faced the Jets in the regular season since 2021, a 19-14 win in Charlotte. The two teams did share a joint practice and preseason game though last year.
That 2021 game added to a three game win streak by the Panthers. That 2021 game saw Sam Darnold put up 279 passing yards and one touchdown. The star of the day though was easily Christian McCaffrey. He picked up 98 yards on 21 carries and added 89 yards on nine receptions for a total of 187 all-purpose yards. The defense forced Zach Wilson into an interception and a fumble.
2024 rankings and results
Record: 5-12
Total offense: 24th
Total defense: 3rd
Personnel moves
Key additions in free agency: QB Justin Fields, CB Brandon Stephens, WR Tyler Johnson, WR Josh Reynolds, CB Kris Boyd, TE Stone Smartt, DT Byron Cowart, DT Jay Tufele, DT Derrick Nnadi, LB Jamin Davis, RB Kene Nwangwu, C Josh Meyers, OT Chukwuma Okorafor, S Andre Cisco, DE Rasha Weaver, P Austin McNamara. Resigned S Isaiah Oliver. Extended LB Jamien Sherwood.
Key additions in the draft: OT Armand Membou, TE Mason Taylor, CB Azareye'h Thomas, WR Arian Smith, S Malachi Moore, LB Francisco Mauigoa, Edge Tyler Baron.
Changes from last year: The Jets underwent some wholesale changes this offseason. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was shown the door, the club brought in former first-round pick Justin Fields after he elected not to resign with the Steelers, and the defense lost several veterans: C.J. Mosley, Javon Kinlaw, and Hasson Reddick, to name a few. On offense, the Jets also parted ways with receivers Davante Adams and Mike Williams. This still leaves Garrett Wilson, who was the leading receiver, and Allen Lazard who was behind Adams.
On defense, the departure of so many veterans seems jarring, but injuries only allowed Mosley to play in four games, and Reddick missed the first six games as part of a contract hold out. The Jets were able to keep their leading tackler from 2024 by extending Sherwood, keeping him partnered with Quincy Williams. And with D.J. Reed's departure to the Lions, New York brought in Stephens to play opposite Pro Bowler Sauce Gardner.
In addition to the roster changes, the Jets also turned over off the field personnel. Aaron Glenn was hired to his first head coaching gig, and brought the Lions passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand with him to serve as OC. Friend of the program Steve Wilks also returned to the NFL to fill the Jets DC position. And the front office brought in former Broncos assistant general manager Darren Mougey as GM.
What to watch for in 2025: Is Justin Fields the answer to the Jets long suffering quarterback problem? Or is he just a stopgap until the QB heavy 2026 draft? How quickly he connects with Wilson, Lazard, and Breece Hall in Engstrand's offense will tell that story. There is an assumption that the defense will remain strong, if not stronger, than they were in 2024, thanks to the addition of Glenn, the mastermind behind the Lions defensive prowess and longevity even through injuries last year. The Jets defense has been a strong suit the past couple of years, even when the offense was falling apart around it. The marriage of the unit and Glenn will make the Jets an intriguing watch this season.
Check out scenes from the Panthers' joint practice against the New York Jets on Thursday.
