Carolina enters the 2025 preseason with plenty of optimism around quarterback Bryce Young’s ability to lead a playoff contender.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. β The Carolina Panthers kick off the 2025 preseason with a home matchup against the Cleveland Browns on Friday, Aug. 8.Β
Carolina enters the season with high hopes after Bryce Young’s significant progress to close last season. General manager Dan Morgan made significant investments to build around Young on offense, and second-year coach Dave Canales has expressed confidence in the Panthers’ ability to contend for the playoffs this season.Β
Game info, how to watch on TV, betting line
Young to start Friday’s gameΒ
After sitting out the first two preseason contests in 2024, Bryce Young will lead the Panthers offense onto the field against Cleveland. Canales’ decision to play his starters is a reversal of course from last season, when Young and company sat out preseason games against the Jets and Patriots.Β
The starters are expected to get a series or two before coming out of the game, according to Canales.Β
Shedeur Sanders gets his chance
Sanders, the talented signal caller who slipped to the fifth round of this year’s draft and son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, will start for Cleveland. The 23-year-old has been one of the most talked-about players since the draft.Β
Cleveland’s quarterback room is a bit of a mess, with Deshaun Watson still sidelined with an Achilles injury and on the physically unable to perform list. That leaves Sanders, Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco and the newly acquired Tyler Huntley to compete for the starting job. Oh, and there’s rookie Dillon Gabriel.Β
Sanders will start, with Huntley expected to get reps. Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Flacco, Pickett and Gabriel won’t play.Β
Will the revamped Panthers defense show signs of life?Β
Carolina had one of the worst defenses in NFL history last season. Riddled by injury, including the loss of star defensive tackle Derrick Brown in Week 1, the Panthers weren’t able to stop anyone in 2024.Β
But now, all eyes will be on rookies Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen. Expect both to get plenty of reps behind starters D.J. Wonnum and Patrick Jones II. With a rookie QB on the other side, there could be plenty of opportunities for the new-look defense to get started on the right foot.Β
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