South Charlotte Today

The Carolina Panthers' defense is under scrutiny as the team navigates a challenging season. Linebacker Josey Jewell has expressed confidence in the unit's potential, stating, "I would say top five defense." Despite finishing fourth overall last season in yards allowed per game, the current defensive lineup ranks 30th after 11 games.

Jewell attributes his optimism to experience and familiarity with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero's system, recalling its success when he played for the Denver Broncos in 2022. He believes improvement is possible through better execution and communication among players. "That takes a lot of execution; it takes a lot of things, so we just need to keep on getting better," Jewell noted.

The Panthers have shown progress recently, reducing opponents' red zone efficiency and increasing their sack count over the past few games. Jewell highlighted improved chemistry as a factor: "We found some kind of more of who we are the last four or five weeks."

Defensive end A'Shawn Robinson echoed this sentiment, adding that "everyone's chemistry [is] just gelling together." However, challenges remain, exemplified by recent performances against teams like the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jadeveon Clowney, another key player on defense, emphasized communication as crucial for success. Reflecting on past experiences with top defenses in Houston and Cleveland, Clowney stated that effective communication made games easier to manage.

Injuries have disrupted the Panthers' lineup this season. Key players like Derrick Brown and Shaq Thompson were sidelined early on with season-ending injuries. Others have missed significant time due to various issues.

Despite these setbacks, Clowney remains hopeful about future prospects: "I think we'll be a dominating defense...we just got to continue to be on the same page." With six games left in the season and reinforcements expected next year, there is cautious optimism within the team.

Jewell concluded with hopes for continued improvement: "Hopefully, we can just keep on stringing this out throughout the rest of the year...and then we'll see what next year brings."