The Carolina Panthers focused on improving their run defense during the offseason, making several roster changes after struggling against the run last year. The team signed defensive tackle Bobby Brown III, edge rusher Patrick Jones II, linebacker Christian Rozeboom, and safety Tre’von Moehrig in free agency. They also added rookies Nic Scourton, Princely Umanmielen, Lathan Ransom, and Cam Jackson through the draft to address these needs.
During a recent practice against the Cleveland Browns, even without Derrick Brown due to a mild injury, the Panthers’ defense showed improvement. Last season, injuries led to the team allowing over 200 rushing yards in each of their final six games.
Tre’von Moehrig spoke about the team’s approach: “I think just having that mentality of just stopping the run, being physical up front, making the tackles that we need to make,” Moehrig said. “I mean, going against our guys or somebody else, we always will have to have that mentality to stop the run, to get things done the way we need to do it.”
Head coach Dave Canales noted he had not yet reviewed all of the defensive drills but received encouraging feedback from defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. “Can’t wait to watch it,” Canales said. “I just fist bumped E, and he said it went pretty good.”
Moehrig’s role with Carolina is expected to focus on run support as well as pass coverage. Last season with Las Vegas, he recorded 104 tackles and five tackles for loss and was rated among the top safeties in run defense.
Reflecting on Wednesday’s session against a new opponent rather than teammates in training camp or OTAs, Moehrig described a positive atmosphere: “Man, just a lot of energy flying around making plays and just having fun,” he said. “You know, going against somebody new, not going against the same offense we’ve been going against every day in training camp and OTAs, so it was fun.
“I think we just had a lot of energy like I said before, and everybody fed off of it, making plays and, you know, just excited to be out there.”
