Carolina Panthers working to develop best fit for defense 

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum chases Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the Browns' 30-10 win Aug. 8, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers, who allowed an NFL record 534 points in 2024, are in the process of remaking the unit.

Jaden Crumedy jogged back to the Carolina Panthers’ sideline and slapped his helmet with both hands.

The third-string defensive tackle missed his chance to make an NFL exhibition season-opening impression. 

One he needed to make. 

Crumedy bull-rushed his way into the pocket on the second-quarter pass rush attempt, forcing Shedeur Sanders to roll out to his left. Crumedy lunged to corral the Cleveland Browns’ rookie quarterback but missed. Sanders, reversing direction, eluded at least two other defenders before being pushed out of bounds by rookie outside linebacker Nic Scourton. 

With 5:51 in the second quarter, the Panthers could have used a big play as the Browns recorded a 30-10 victory at Bank of America Stadium. 

Questions persist concerning the Panthers’ defense.  

“We have to go back and look at the film,” Crumedy said. “I don’t really know everything that went on.” 

Starting over on defense

Missing several injured starters and top reserves in 2024, the Panthers yielded an all-time-worst 534 points. They struggled to stop the run, ranking last in the NFL by allowing 3,057 yards. They also failed to generate a consistent pass rush, posting just 29 sacks, the third fewest in the league. 

General manager Dan Morgan invested heavily along the defensive front during the offseason, adding potential starters Turk Wharton and Bobby Brown III through free agency and drafting Cam Jackson in the fifth round. 

In his second season, Crumedy, who appeared in only five games last season, felt relieved he made it through the preseason opener. At this point in 2024, he was carted off the field with a high ankle sprain that landed him on injured reserve and cost an opportunity to develop.  

“When I went down, I just had a lot of emotions,” Crumedy recalled. “It set me back for a little bit.” 

Coach Dave Canales said on Tuesday Crumedy is attempting to make up for lost time. Through two weeks of training camp, “he’s had some good days and some bad days,” Canales said, “but he keeps getting better, keeps improving.” 

Among the fundamentals the former Mississippi State standout is working to refine is keeping his pad level low when attacking offensive linemen, forming better habits on his hand placement and “learning how to play doubles,” Canales said. 

It’s a work in progress. 

Derrick Brown: Carolina ‘is going to be different’

On his Sanders sack attempt, Crumedy said “I was real close, but I (didn’t tackle) him. I should have taken a better angle.” 

Is Crumedy’s job safe? 

That likely will be determined in the final two preseason games, but, he said, “I feel like I’m fitting in pretty good. Everyone is showing a lot of effort.” 

Despite giving up 30 unanswered points, All-Pro defensive lineman Derrick Brown, who missed all but one game last season with a knee injury, remains optimistic. 

"It’s going to be different,” he told the NFL Network on Tuesday. “I can guarantee you that. We don’t want to harp on the past. Last year was what last year was, and then it’s time for us to move on from that, so I mean we’ve completely turned the chapter from that, and you can look for a more exciting defense, for sure, coming this fall.” 

How different? 

The Browns are expected to contend for the top overall draft pick next April, but they converted on 40% of their third-down chances and didn’t commit a turnover. 
Rookie Princely Umanmielen didn’t sound concerned. 

“We didn’t have our whole playbook open,” he said. “We were playing the same plays over and over again. As far as physicality, I think we did a pretty good job. We didn’t gameplan for this game at all. I think that’s what made the result.” 

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