What’s Next?

The Carolina Panthers’ season ended Saturday with a near-upset of a Super Bowl favorite. Early on, things looked bleak, but the Panthers stormed back, took the lead, and ultimately fell just short. While the final result was disappointing, the return of playoff football to Charlotte was a positive development for the organization and the fan base.

Now the offseason begins, and Carolina has significant work to do.

The most immediate concern is left tackle. Ikem Ekwonu’s knee injury, expected to sideline him for six to twelve months, creates a major question mark on the offensive line. Taylor Moton’s extension secures the right side through 2026, but the tackle position must be addressed early in the draft.

Defensively, this team needs star power in the middle. For an organization long defined by elite middle linebackers, that position currently lacks a true playmaker. Christian Rozeboom is a solid depth piece, and Trevin Wallace offers similar production with more upside, but neither fits the mold of the impact player the Panthers have historically relied upon.

The secondary has similar issues. Trevon Moehrig is a quality safety, but the defense needs a true centerfielder who can roam deep and change games. Latham Ransom is another solid player, yet his skill set overlaps too much with Moehrig’s. Variety and range on the back end are missing.

Offensively, the Panthers still need a legitimate deep threat on the outside. Just as important, they must be willing to call and throw those shots during games to force defenses to respect the vertical passing attack and open up the field.

All things considered, the season was a success because it represented real progress. But windows close quickly in the NFL. The 2015 Panthers are a reminder of how fast fortunes can change. This offseason needs to be a home run. Miss, and Carolina risks slipping back into the cellar, looking like the same old Panthers instead of a team ready to take the next step.