Why the Carolina Panthers’ re-signings are important, and rehashing free-agency news
By Alex Zietlow and
Mike Kaye
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen’s helmet shows Walter Payton “Man of the Year” decal at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Sunday, December 15, 2024.
KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH
Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
A week ago, the Carolina Panthers were on a mission to retool a defense that took its lumps in 2025.
They did that.
They beefed up a paper-thin defensive front with pass rushers and run-stoppers. They added a body — and a dawg, according to CB Mike Jackson — in their safety unit. They also rounded out other parts of their roster: signing Rico Dowdle at running back and Sam Martin at punter.
They did all this on top of the guys they re-signed or tendered or extended.
So ... how’d they do with the new guys?
And what about their re-signings — why was that a priority?
Observer reporters Mike Kaye and Alex Zietlow are here to answer those two questions and more in the latest podcast episode of Processing Blue.
The duo discusses how great of an acquisition safety Tre’Von Moehrig could potentially be, why Bobby Brown III is exactly what the Panthers need and what exactly this first wave of moves during free agency tells us about the Panthers’ NFL Draft plan. (Should they get a receiver?)
Alex Zietlow writes about the Carolina Panthers and the ways in which sports intersect with life for The Charlotte Observer, where he has been a reporter since August 2022. Zietlow’s work has been honored by the Pro Football Writers Association, the N.C. and S.C. Press Associations, as well as the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) group. He’s earned six APSE Top 10 distinctions for his coverage on a variety of topics, from billion-dollar stadium renovations to the small moments of triumph that helped a Panthers kicker defy the steepest odds in sports. Zietlow previously wrote for The Herald in Rock Hill (S.C.) from 2019-22.Support my work with a digital subscription
Mike Kaye writes about the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer. He also co-hosts “Processing Blue: A Panthers Podcast” for The Observer. Kaye’s work in columns/analysis and sports feature writing has been honored by the North Carolina Press Association (NCPA). His reporting has also received recognition from the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).Kaye previously covered the entire NFL for Pro Football Network, the Philadelphia Eagles for NJ Advance Media and the Jacksonville Jaguars for First Coast News. Support my work with a digital subscription
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