The Ravens tried to trade for defensive lineman Calais Campbell last season and were also interested in signing him this year. However, Campbell decided to return to the Arizona Cardinals, the team that first drafted him. This shows the Ravens are serious about strengthening their defense.
Baltimore had the second-most sacks (54) in the league last season, but their defensive line only accounted for 12.5 of those. Adding a talented young player could boost the entire defense, helping Nnamdi Madubuike return to his 2023 form and improving the pass rush. The Eagles showed how strong defensive tackles can make a difference on the way to the Super Bowl, and the Ravens want a similar strategy.
PANTHERS KEEPING YOUNG OFFENSE TO BUILD FOR THE FUTURE
Usually, when a team ranks 29th in the league in something, they make big changes. But Panthers head coach Dave Canales sees things differently. He believes their young offense is full of potential and can improve without major changes.
The Panthers are bringing back most of their offensive players, with free-agent running back Rico Dowdle being the only major addition. Canales is confident this approach will work because the team is still young and growing.
Our group has so much potential,” Canales said. “We have young guys like Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, Ja’Tavion Sanders, and Tommy Tremble. They are just getting comfortable with our system, and I’m excited to see how they improve.”
The Panthers’ offense includes seven key players who are 25 or younger, including quarterback Bryce Young (23), running back Jonathon Brooks (21), and left tackle Ikem Ekwonu (24). Even though they struggled early last season, their performance improved as the year went on.
The team also kept its offensive line intact, with experienced veterans like Adam Thielen (34) and Andy Dalton (37) helping guide the younger players. Canales believes the Panthers’ ability to run the ball will be a big advantage in 2025.
“It all starts with the run game,” Canales said. “We improved last year, with Chuba Hubbard rushing for over 1,000 yards. Our offensive line worked well together, and we built a tough, physical playing style.”
The Panthers spent a lot to strengthen their offensive line, signing Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis in free agency and moving Austin Corbett to center. Right tackle Taylor Moton (30) is the oldest starter and still playing at a high level, allowing just one sack last season.
Moton has been reliable for a long time,” Canales said. “Even though we were out of the playoffs, he fought to return from injury and finish the season. That shows how much he cares about the team.”
BRYCE YOUNG READY TO LEAD THE PANTHERS
Although the Panthers focused on their running game, Canales believes Bryce Young is developing into a great leader. After struggling early in the season, Young played much better in the second half, leading game-winning drives in six of the final nine games.
Bryce performs best in high-pressure situations, and Canales said. “He stayed focused, kept leading the team, and showed he was ready to take control. When he came back in as the starter, you could see the confidence in his eyes. He knew this was his team.”
Canales is excited to see how the offense improves in 2025. He believes Legette can become the team’s top receiver and that their young core will continue to grow.
Even though the Panthers haven’t made many offensive changes this offseason, Canales thinks that’s the right move. The team’s leadership is focusing more on fixing their defense, while the offense keeps developing.
We need to be smart about how we build this team,”Canales said. “We already have great players, and I’m excited to see them take the next step.
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