Panthers ended a long playoff drought in 2025 and now face tougher challenges

The Carolina Panthers reached the playoffs in 2025 for the first time in eight years, finishing 8-10 and losing a wild-card game to the Los Angeles Rams.

The Carolina Panthers ended an eight-year playoff drought in 2025, reaching the postseason and losing a wild-card game to the Los Angeles Rams. They finished the season 8-10 and won the NFC South on a tiebreaker, drawing renewed enthusiasm in Charlotte. The team improved by three wins in each of coach Dave Canales' first two seasons, but consecutive postseasons have been rare in franchise history. Now the Panthers face roster and schedule challenges in the offseason, including a serious knee injury to left tackle Ikem Ekwonu. Key facts: - Panthers finished 8-10 and lost 34-31 to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round. - They won the NFC South via tiebreaker and drew more than 73,000 fans to Bank of America Stadium for the final home game. - Derrick Brown played all 18 games and tied for the team lead with a career-high five sacks. - Tests revealed Ikem Ekwonu ruptured the patellar tendon in his right knee; the Panthers exercised his fifth-year option, which is guaranteed for injury. - The team has 19 unrestricted free agents, including five offensive linemen such as Cade Mays, Austin Corbett, Brady Christensen and Yosh Nijman. - Next season's first-place schedule includes six teams that made the playoffs this year: Seattle, Chicago, Philadelphia, Green Bay, Denver and Pittsburgh. Summary: Making the playoffs restored energy among fans and players, but the Panthers finished 8-10 and exited in the wild-card round. Offseason decisions about injured starters, multiple free agents and how to navigate a difficult next-season schedule will shape the team's chances of returning to the postseason. Undetermined at this time.