The Carolina Panthers didn’t have a bad defense in 2024. They had one of the worst in NFL history.
The Panthers became the first team to allow over 500 points since the NFL went to a 17-game schedule in 2021. Carolina put an exclamation point on that note by allowing 534 points, surpassing the 1981 Baltimore Colts (533) for the most points allowed in a single season.
A year like that will trigger some activity and the Panthers have taken some steps in the right direction. Carolina added several free agents including former Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton, Las Vegas Raiders safety Trevon Moehrig and Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Bobby Brown III and looks to clear the low bar it set for itself last season.
But there’s still some moves that show that Dan Morgan hasn’t learned his lesson from a year ago which includes Carolina’s latest signing on Saturday.
Panthers Re-Sign Struggling 2024 Holdover Nick Scott
The Panthers announced on Saturday that they have re-signed safety Nick Scott. Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer noted that the signing brings depth to the safety unit, which had just Moehrig and Demani Richardson before Scott’s return. He also notes that Scott will be seen as a “core four” special teams ace internally and is familiar with Ejiro Evero’s system.
Those are the positives with Scott’s return. But the key negative was that he didn’t play well last season. The 29-year-old appeared in 10 games and made four starts for Carolina but he didn’t play well, posting a 52.6 grade on 324 defensive snaps according to Pro Football Focus.
Scott was better on special teams, posting a 69.9 PFF grade on 171 snaps. If the Panthers are solely focused on using him in that role, it may not be a terrible signing. But the concern is Carolina’s lack of depth in the safety room.
Morehrig is an upgrade in the secondary after posting a 67.5 PFF grade on defense last year including an 87.5 grade against the run. Richardson is a holdover who posted a 60.1 grade on 403 defensive snaps last season but Scott would currently be thrust into a role if either player got hurt.
Kaye also reports that the Panthers safety room isn’t finalized and doesn’t prevent Carolina from signing or drafting a player to fill out the group. But it’s also a sign that their depth isn’t good enough coming off a historically bad season.
Perhaps re-signing Sam Franklin Jr. or taking a safety in next month’s draft is the answer. But right now, it appears the safety room is full of holdovers from the Panthers’ struggles.