Panthers are paying $21 million to learn what Rams already knew

The Los Angeles Rams defense needed to take a long, hard look at the team’s defensive front after a successful but disappointing 2024 NFL season. The team finished with a 10-7 record, but the defense was unable to step up and shut down Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. The sting of that failure to stop the run dictated an entirely new defensive strategy.

That new strategy necessitated a host of personnel changes. One change was the decision not to extend veteran nose tackle Bobby Brown III. As a result, the Carolina Panthers were able to swoop in and sign the veteran defensive lineman to a three-year deal worth $21 million. At the time, his departure felt like a risk, as he was considered one of the Rams’ better run defenders.

Brown is a 6-foot-4, 332-pound behemoth who serves as a solid anchor on the defensive front. His very presence forces offenses to redirect plays left or right, as he’s a force to be reckoned with in the heart of the defense. The challenge with Brown’s history in Horns is that he often came across as a one-trick pony — a reputation he disputed until signing with the Panthers in free agency.

Panthers are learning what Rams already knew about Bobby Brown III

The Carolina Panthers–Jacksonville Jaguars game was weather delayed with 8:12 remaining in the first half due to lightning in the area. But even before the delay, the Jaguars offense had already exposed many of the same issues that plagued the Rams defense in 2024. Jacksonville’s running backs averaged 5.0 yards per carry before the stoppage.

Worse yet, Brown didn’t record a single tackle in the first 23 minutes of regulation.

By halftime, the Panthers defense had surrendered 117 rushing yards on just 10 carries by running backs. It felt eerily familiar to the disappointing run defense of last season. For Panthers fans, it’s an early-season letdown from a team that showed promise of turning the corner.

The Panthers would go on to lose to the Jaguars by a score of 26-10. Bobby Brown ended the game with three tackles — but not before Carolina’s defense gave up 200 rushing yards, an average of 6.3 yards per carry, and one rushing touchdown. That’s something the Rams are happy to have moved on from. Unfortunately, it may be something Panthers fans need to brace for all season long.

As always, thanks for reading.

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