The Carolina Panthers have to feel mostly positive about how the season has gone so far.
Week 1 was an ugly loss, but it’s starting to seem like that was fluky. The team rebounded in a big way in Week 2 and had an equally impressive win. Now, the team is 1-1 with a division win as they prepare for a winnable game against the Cleveland Browns in Week 3.
Overall, the Panthers have had more good than bad so far. There are definitely some players who have been a little disappointing though, so let’s talk about four of them.
RB Jonathon Brooks
© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Jonathon Brooks had a great summer. The young running back looked explosive and even earned some significant first-team reps. Unfortunately, that positive momentum hasn’t carried over to the regular season.
Brooks only had nine carries for 30 yards through two weeks, and now he’s headed to injured reserve again. It’s a disappointing setback for Brooks, and he’s at risk of falling out of favor.
Hopefully Brooks gets healthy and contributes over the final stretch of the season.
G Robert Hunt
Robert Hunt was great for the Panthers in 2024. The veteran guard earned his first-and-only Pro Bowl selection for that season and earned a massive new extension. Unfortunately, Hunt got injured and only played in two games in 2025.
So far, Hunt hasn’t been the same coming back from his injury. The guard has a 54.1 grade from PFF, which ranks 49th out of 69 qualified guards. Hunt has allowed four pressures and has already been penalized four times.
Hunt has to be better going forward. Luckily, Bryce Young has still been elite, but it would be nice if he had better blocking.
DL Lee Hunter
I don’t want to be harsh, but Lee Hunter has not been good so far. The defensive lineman has six tackles in two games, but he has yet to get a sack or tackle for loss. PFF gives Hunter a terrible 45.1 grade through two weeks, which ranks 90th out of 115 qualified defensive linemen.
The rookie has to be better. The Panthers already don’t have a great defensive line, and Hunter was being counted on to be a contributor. Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III are banged up, and Hunter still hasn’t taken advantage of his chance.
DL Derrick Brown
Sticking with the theme here of the defensive linemen not being good- Derrick Brown has also failed to carry his weight. The former Pro Bowler has failed to make much of an impact early this season and we haven’t heard his name much.
Through two games, Brown has five tackles with no tackles for loss or sacks. PFF grades Brown as one of the worst defensive linemen in the league, with a 44.2 overall grade. Brown ranks 98th out of 120 qualified linemen.
