CHARLOTTE: We’re officially in the lead-up to training camp and the 2025 season now that July has arrived.
This is an excellent time to catch up with the Panthers’ opponents and find out how their summer actions have affected this year’s game.
Keep checking back for our summaries of the entire schedule as we go through things in order.
OPPONENT: San Francisco 49ers
The Panthers are 13-9 overall in the series, with a 6-5 lead in Charlotte and a 7-4 lead in the Bay Area.
Last meeting: The 37-15 loss proved to be the final game under Matt Rhule, and the Panthers haven’t faced the 49ers since Week 5 of the 2022 campaign. That day, Derrick Brown batted down two passes and blocked a field goal, so that was something.
The Panthers won the division title in their first year of existence, so here’s a photo of Kerry Collins tossing during the 1996 sweep of the then-NFC West rivals (NFL geography didn’t always make sense) to reminisce about better days.
2024 rankings and results
Record: 6-11
Total offense: 4th
Total defense: 8th
Personnel moves
Important developments in free agency: exchanged for DE Huff, Bryce. TE signed QB Mac Jones, LB Luke Gifford, FS Jason Pinnock, CB Tre Brown, WR Demarcus Robinson, S Richie Grant, and Luke Farrell.
The draft’s main additions are: DE LB Nick Martin, CB Upton Stout, DT Alfred Collins, and Mykel Williams.
Changes from the previous season: Having lost seven of their last eight games due to injuries to Christian McCaffery, Brandon Aiyuk, and numerous other key players, they can only hope that their luck has improved.
However, they also marked the beginning of a new era this summer by honoring the erstwhile Mr. Irrelevant for his play by extending quarterback Brock Purdy’s contract (five years, $265 million). They now need to assemble it around a quarterback who is earning real money, and that change is taking place right before our eyes.
Along with losing several important players in free agency, including lineman Aaron Banks, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga, and cornerback Charvarius Ward, they also traded Deebo Samuel to Washington and Jordan Mason to the Vikings.
What to watch for in 2025: This is the Panthers’ first Monday Night Football appearance since Week 2 of 2023 (a loss to New Orleans), and only their second since 2018. They will be back in prime time for this game. The Panthers have an all-time Monday record of 10-8.
The 49ers are adjusting to Purdy and an 11-man draft class. However, the Panthers are aware that McCaffrey can do something exceptional at any moment when he is on the field.
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