Panthers OLB Pat Jones II makes bold claim about team's defense

[Captain Morgan]

One of the Carolina Panthers' newest defenders thinks their pass rush can go from worst to first.

ESPN's David Newton recently chatted with outside linebacker Pat Jones II, who signed with the Panthers as a free agent earlier this offseason. Jones comes over from an awfully impressive Minnesota Vikings defense—one that ranked first in takeaways (33), fourth in sacks (49) and second in QB pressure rate (44.4 percent) this past season.

And despite a historically-bad campaign by Carolina's defense in 2024, the 26-year-old seems to believe his new unit can be similar—or even better—than his last.

"I definitely think we could do something similar, if not better," Jones said, via Newton. "I've seen it before, so I know what it looks like. I look around the building and see we have exactly what it takes to do that."

https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/panthers/2025/05/24/panthers-pat-jones-vikings-espn/83840667007/?taid=683219b347846900018fa10a&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter  

 

It's the offseason.  Let hope spring eternal.

(actually, I think we are much closer than this board thinks)

 

[Greatman77]

I respect his enthusiasm. Time will tell if it's warrented. 

[1989]

You gotta have that attitude. Feels like a major turnaround to me!

[BEASTfromdaEAST]

Talk is cheap, but like others already posted you have to have that type of mentality. 

It is always good to have guys from a team that was dominate and understand what i takes to make said changes.  I think we at least have depth and DAWGS that DM has been wanting to add at all positions.  

Whether that translates to better play on field or wins/loses i am hoping that is the case.

[Carolina Cajun]

I do think we'll see a pretty substantive jump in the quality of our defense this year, but it comes from multiple things.  That front line is gonna be pretty impressive IMO with healthy brown, Bobby Brown, and Tershawn Warton.  thats gonna open space for our LB's and Moehrig dropping into the box helping stuff the run.  Evero CAN have a very successful defense, he has to have the pieces and I do think he has the pieces he needed.  Lets see what his scheme cooks up with quality pieces and not just UDFAs and random JAGS.

[BlazeCarolina]

I feel this off season is just different in the amount of hype/hopium we are huffing.  I love it.

I am usually full of hope this time of year, but this feels special.

[LinvilleGorge]

Well, I mean pretty much nowhere to go but up defensively.

[BlazeCarolina]

4 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Well, I mean pretty much nowhere to go but up defensively.

True, but coupled with the context of better than his previous team, that is better than just up.

[pantherclaw]

I want our guys to believe they can be the best. That is part of getting there. Got to believe,  and got to put in the work. 

[TheSpecialJuan]

It's a David Newton article so he probably misquoted Pat Jones, or made up the quote all together. 

 

[JawnyBlaze]

If DB stays healthy and is able to be back to his old self, he’s going to make a huge difference all by himself. 

[Captain Morgan]

2 hours ago, BEASTfromdaEAST said:

Talk is cheap, but like others already posted you have to have that type of mentality. 

 I think we at least have depth and DAWGS that DM has been wanting to add at all positions.  

 

[Candler Cat]

It's all fluff until September 

[Manna]

just tackling better would be a major improvement from last season