Why Panthers’ defender isn’t concerned about stats amid NFC South playoff push
D.J. Wonnum isn’t overthinking his statistical production in his second season with the Panthers.
Carolina is pushing toward the playoffs, and Ejiro Evero’s defense has greatly improved from last year. So, Wonnum, 28, isn’t stressing his relatively pedestrian box-score numbers with two games remaining in the regular season. He’s focused on clinching an NFC South division crown. And he knows that if he simply does his job within the defense, Wonnum will put himself and his teammates in a position to shine in January.
Sacks are cool. But division championships and the playoffs are much cooler.
Wonnum has learned that lesson in recent years, as injuries and inconsistent sack totals have mounted. He’s played 68% of the Panthers’ defensive snaps this year, and most of that playing time has been about setting others up for success.
Wonnum, who played college football at South Carolina, has committed to being a cog — instead of being the machine — for the pass rush.
“I look at it as kind of like a season of growth,” Wonnum told The Charlotte Observer last week. “Growing in the sense of, ‘It’s not always going to go how you go,’ and kind of being more of a team player, and allowing the guys around me to make plays. And I feel like that’s kind of how it’s been this year. Just doing my job to the best of my ability — setting the edge, running games correctly, pressuring the quarterback to get him out of his spot — and it’s not always meant for me, other guys make the plays.”
Wonnum has played in 14 of the team’s 15 games this season. He has produced 36 tackles (three for loss), two sacks and an interception. He also had the game-clinching fumble recovery in the fourth quarter of the 31-28 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13.
But Wonnum’s numbers aren’t completely indicative of his impact on the Panthers’ defense this season. He’s been asked to do quite a bit as an outside linebacker in Evero’s scheme, and the unit has seen vast improvement this season, especially against the run.
Wonnum was brought to Carolina because he fit the versatile job description that comes with his position. That versatility has led to a lot of odd jobs beyond rushing the passer.
“You’ve got to drop in coverage, you’ve got to make checks (like) you’re a (middle) linebacker, you’ve got to set the edge like you’re a big guy, and you’ve got to rush the passer,” Wonnum said. “And that’s something I’m more than capable of doing. So, that’s why I decided to come here last year, because I can do that, and it pays off in different ways. But obviously, the defense is playing pretty good — and as long as that’s a positive, I’m happy.”
Last season, Wonnum was sidelined for the Panthers’ first nine games. He dealt with a MRSA infection and sustained a blood clot following multiple quadriceps surgeries, and those setbacks shelved him until Week 10.
When he returned to the lineup, Wonnum shined, even as the overall defense struggled. He produced four sacks in just eight games, but the Panthers gave up historic rushing and scoring numbers down the stretch.
This year, he’s on a contending team, and he’s remained relatively healthy. The pass rush numbers aren’t there, but he’s enjoying the team’s success.
“I’m just playing football,” Wonnum said. “Obviously, there’s bumps in the road, things you have to overcome — whether it’s injuries, or you never know what’s going it’s going to be — but I feel like that’s been my journey over the past few years. And whatever’s been thrown in my face, I've overcome it, and I’m excited to be out here and be able to play just about a full season this year because it’s been a minute since I’ve been able to do that, and it’s obviously paying off.”
Wonnum signed a two-year, $12.5 millon deal with the Panthers in March 2024. He will be a free agent again in March.
While his underwhelming stats might scare off some potential bidders, his versatility and team-first mindset might help him land in the right place at the right time. And that place could still be at Bank of America Stadium, as his role within the defense has made him as regular contributor on Sundays.
“It’s obviously working,” Wonnum said about his role. “We’re winning games. And I’m going to continue to do that throughout this playoff push.”
Wonnum’s work over the next two games could help the Panthers claim their first division title since 2015. While he’d love to pad his sack total, he knows that the team’s goals come before his individual accomplishments.
That’s why he doesn’t stress about getting to the quarterback.
“I don’t really go into a game thinking about sacks,” Wonnum said. “I kind of go into a game thinking about doing my job to the best of my ability.”
