Morgan: Panthers to be ‘aggressive’ with defense in offseason
Following a 5-12 season, Dan Morgan’s search for “dogs” — especially on defense — continues.
Morgan, who just completed his first season as Carolina Panthers GM, said Monday that he saw progress from his young team, but that there is plenty of work to be done this offseason.
Morgan acknowledged the defense needs to be revamped, the 2024 draft class needs to bounce back from injuries — and that QB Bryce Young is primed for a future with the franchise.
Here are six takeaways from Morgan’s season-ending chat with the media:
Morgan expected Young to bounce back from benching
Morgan was part of the leadership group that decided to trade up for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and eventually select Young. The then-assistant GM thought Young would eventually progress into a franchise quarterback.
But after the 18th start of his career, a struggling Young was benched by head coach Dave Canales. Young would eventually return to the lineup after backup Andy Dalton suffered a thumb injury in a car accident ahead of Week 8’s matchup with the Denver Broncos. Morgan said Monday that there was always a plan to bring Young back in the starting position, but he declined to acknowledge what that plan was.
However, Young went on quite the run to end his sophomore season. From Week 8 to Week 18, Young threw for 15 passing touchdowns with just six interceptions. He also ran for five touchdowns as well.
Against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Young led seven scoring drives while producing five total touchdowns in a 44-38 overtime win. Morgan was asked if he had envisioned that type of performance when Young was drafted, and Morgan reiterated Canales’ earlier points from the day about Young’s positive long-term outlook in Carolina.
Canales came as advertised
Morgan worked with Canales in Seattle when they were first starting out in their respective careers. Morgan was a scout, while Canales was a low-level coach. The duo got to know each other from the ground floor.
So, Morgan said he felt Canales lived up to what the GM thought he’d be when he hired him as his first head coach last year. Canales’ energy, in particular, was a draw for Morgan — a former Panthers linebacker — during the coaching search.
Morgan said he appreciates Canales’ consistent positive attitude as well.
Morgan takes some of the blame for the defensive woes
The Panthers allowed a league-record 534 points during the 2024 season. The defense also became the fourth team in history to allowed 3,000 rushing yards in a season.
But Canales said Monday that he plans to bring back defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. The head coach said he appreciates Evero’s scheme and knows what it can look like when there is talent on that side of the ball. Morgan essentially echoed both points, backing Evero’s return to the staff.
Morgan also said that the lack of depth on defense was his doing. The GM said it is his job to support Evero and his scheme with talented players. While Morgan said rookies like linebacker Trevin Wallace and cornerback Chau Smith-Wade are developing, he seemingly acknowledged that the Panthers needed better players on that side of the ball.
Morgan said the Panthers would be “aggressive” but smart when it came to improving the defense. While he wants to build up that side of the ball, Morgan won’t simply focus on defense in this ever-evolving churn of the roster.
The draft class gets a solid review
Morgan wasn’t effusive in his praise of the draft class, but he did say that he was pleased with the first glimpses of the group. Morgan singled out wideout Xavier Legette, tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, Wallace and Smith-Wade when discussing the group.
Legette, Sanders, Wallace and second-round pick, running back Jonathon Brooks, all battled injuries throughout the season. Brooks, in particular, was limited to just three games due to back-to-back ACL tears in the same knee. Morgan said Brooks’ reinjured knee was an unfortunate ramification of football. The GM expects Brooks and the rest of the injured group to put in the work required for bounce-back performances.
Front office still working through re-signing strategy
The Panthers have 21 pending internal free agents.
Morgan said he and his staff, along with Canales and his staff, are still in the early stages of talking about who they should try to retain. Notable contributors like linebacker Shaq Thompson, cornerback Mike Jackson, offensive lineman Brady Christensen and tight end Tommy Tremble are the group set to hit the market. Morgan wouldn’t single out any of those players, but he did say that he and Canales would continue to have discussions on their internal free agents’ respective futures.
With the Panthers expected to be aggressive on defense, Morgan was asked about adding a top-tier wide receiver in free agency. Morgan said everything is on the table at every position. He also acknowledged that free agency isn’t the only way to collect playmakers — at wideout or otherwise. Morgan has been an active member of the trade market since receiving the promotion to the top job. The Panthers also have a healthy stock of draft picks for the offseason.
The future for Jaycee Horn, Ikem Ekwonu
Morgan was asked about two of the team’s recent first-round picks: Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn and starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu.
Morgan reiterated what he had said in the past about Horn, noting that he wanted the cornerback to be part of the long-term outlook for the team. He also said that he feels good about Ekwonu’s progress, as the GM thinks he’s improved in each of his three seasons, mostly notably this year under a new staff.
Horn is set to play on his fifth-year option this upcoming season. Having just made the Pro Bowl for the first time, Horn is in position to negotiate a bigger long-term contract, and Morgan seemingly alluded to a long-term pact being in the plans.
The Panthers will need to make a decision on Ekwonu’s fifth-year option by May. While Morgan didn’t outright claim that the Panthers will pick up the option, the GM did assert that Ekwonu is a key piece of the offensive line puzzle.
This story was originally published January 6, 2025 at 4:49 PM.
