Football team, the Panthers, intend to utilize their star players, including quarterback Bryce Young, in the preseason games scheduled for this year.
Carolina Panthers to Give Bryce Young and Starters Preseason Playtime
The Carolina Panthers have announced that quarterback Bryce Young and the team's starters will participate in the first two preseason games of 2025. This shift in strategy, as announced by head coach Dave Canales, aims to provide valuable in-game repetitions and reinforce mental and physical preparation routines for the players.
Last season, the Panthers struggled with a 1-7 opening stretch, and Canales' decision to hold out many starters from preseason play was criticized. This year, he emphasizes the importance of in-game reps and pre-game preparation for his players.
Young, who showed promise with a late-season resurgence in 2024, is expected to benefit from this approach, as he will have the opportunity to strengthen his leadership on offense and improve overall team performance. The Panthers' first two preseason games will see them face the Cleveland Browns at home and the Houston Texans on the road, providing clear opportunities to observe how Young's participation impacts Carolina's early-season readiness and cohesion.
The Panthers roster is a mix of veteran players and a predominantly young team. The defense, which had a historically poor performance in 2024, has been completely revamped. Pro Bowl defensive tackle Derrick Brown, who missed most of the 2024 season due to a knee injury, is expected to return. The addition of rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, drafted with the No. 8 overall pick, is expected to complement the new look defense.
Several new players will be playing together on defense, and a few on the offensive side. The Panthers finished the 2024 season with a record of 5-12, but expectations are higher this time around. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the betting favorites to win the NFC South, with the Panthers not too far behind at +350. The Atlanta Falcons are listed at +220, sandwiched between the Bucs and the Panthers in the NFC South betting odds. The New Orleans Saints are listed at +1300 in the NFC South betting odds.
Canales plans to determine whether to play starters in the preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers based on the team's progress during camp and practice. The Panthers are hoping that this new approach will lead to a stronger start in the 2025 season and a more competitive team overall.
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- NFL fans and sports betting enthusiasts are eagerly watching the Carolina Panthers' moves as they prepare for the 2025 season, with many eyeing the Panthers as a potential dark horse in the NFC South.
- Betting odds have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the favorites to win the NFC South, but a dominant performance from the Panthers in the preseason could shift the odds significantly.
- The historic struggles of the Panthers' defense in 2024 have led to an extensive revamp, with the addition of new players like rookie Tetairoa McMillan and the anticipated return of Derrick Brown.
- Quarterback Bryce Young's preseason playtime could set a historic record for the Panthers, as he looks to build upon his late-season resurgence and solidify his position as the team's leader.
- In a bid to improve their record from the dismal 5-12 finish in 2024, the Panthers are focusing on in-game repetitions and pre-game preparation for their starters in the first two preseason games against the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans.
- With the third preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers still up in the air, the Panthers' strategy hinges on the team's progress during camp and practice, hoping that a successful preseason will lead to a more competitive and cohesive unit for the 2025 NFL season.
