Five Carolina Panthers Players Who Got Another Season Despite Questionable Performance
The Carolina Panthers have retained several players on their roster who, by many accounts, seemed unlikely to return. While the team showed notable progress in the latter half of 2024 under head coach Dave Canales, some roster decisions have raised eyebrows. General manager Dan Morgan prioritized strengthening the defense and retaining key offensive linemen, setting the stage for a crucial 2025 NFL Draft where the team holds nine selections.
However, not all offseason choices have been met with approval. Some players, who struggled in 2024, were surprisingly given another chance. Here are five Panthers players who, despite underwhelming performances, remain on the roster for another season.
1. David Moore – Wide Receiver
David Moore’s return was unexpected given his inconsistent contributions. While he is a trusted veteran under Canales, his re-signing felt uninspiring. The Panthers did little to improve their receiving corps, instead focusing on defensive reinforcements.
Moore earned more playing time than anticipated last season but struggled with efficiency, catching just 56.1% of his targets. His route success rate (49.1%) and receiving grade (64.0 per Pro Football Focus) placed him among the lower-tier wideouts. Despite this, the team opted to keep him around, banking on potential improvement.
2. Nick Scott – Safety
The Panthers had a golden opportunity to overhaul their safety unit this offseason. With only one player under contract before free agency—a relatively inexperienced undrafted free agent—many expected a major transformation.
Morgan made a significant move by acquiring Tre’von Moehrig, a formidable presence in both run defense and coverage. However, instead of further bolstering the position, Carolina decided to retain Nick Scott on a one-year deal. Given his lackluster performance in 2024, this decision puzzled fans. Reports suggest that the organization values Scott’s special teams contributions, though tangible evidence of his impact remains scarce.
3. D.J. Johnson – Outside Linebacker
Generating pressure was a persistent issue for the Panthers in 2024. Although D.J. Wonnum’s return from injury helped, depth remained a concern. Morgan attempted to address this by signing Patrick Jones II and fortifying the defensive front with Bobby Brown III and Tershawn Wharton.
Despite these improvements, Carolina still retained D.J. Johnson, a 2023 third-round pick who has struggled to justify his selection. The Panthers took a gamble trading up for the Oregon product, but he has yet to deliver. With additional pass-rushers expected in the draft, Johnson’s roster spot remains in jeopardy unless he shows significant progress.
4. Amare Barno – Outside Linebacker
Barno’s tenure with the Panthers has been marred by injuries, limiting him to just five games and 57 defensive snaps in 2024. While he has found some success on special teams, his overall impact has been minimal.
With Carolina likely to add more edge rushers in the upcoming draft, Barno’s position is precarious. Entering the final year of his contract, he must prove his worth during offseason training to secure his spot. Given his past struggles and the team’s push for improvements, his future remains uncertain.
5. Shy Tuttle – Defensive Lineman
Shy Tuttle was widely expected to be a salary-cap casualty after an underwhelming 2024 season. Forced into the nose tackle role due to a lack of alternatives, he struggled, leading many to assume he would be cut.
Instead, Carolina restructured his contract, keeping him on the roster at a reduced cap hit of $5.73 million for 2025. With Derrick Brown returning from injury and new additions like Bobby Brown III strengthening the defensive line, Tuttle is likely to transition into a rotational role rather than a starter.
Conclusion
While the Panthers made significant upgrades in key areas, retaining these five players raises questions. Whether they can justify their roster spots remains to be seen, but the upcoming draft and training camp will be crucial in determining their long-term futures in Carolina.
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