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

[mrcompletely11]

9 minutes ago, ImfromClayton said:

If either of those Rookie Edge players has a good year, we have a chance to be really good. Nobody we brought in is a world beater on defense, but we got a little better at nearly every spot. 

This year is all about getting nfl experience, 2026 is when we should be pinning our ears back and making a substantial run with defensive improvement.  I think we are still going to be dogshit on defense.

[rmoneyg35]

I don’t think we will be any worse. I think it really depends on how well the rookies play.

[ImfromClayton]

I think the D-line is going to take a massive step forward. We lost an all-pro caliber player in the first half of the first game last year, and spent the rest of the year making XFL players play out of position. It's not a stretch to say that's one of the worst defenses in the history of the league. Anybody that was willing to run the ball could do so at will. 

I expect that D-line to be at a minimum below average this year, which would be a marked improvement over "worst of all time." We spent enough resources there that they should be pretty good. I am not dreading week 1. That's a nice feeling.