When Carolina Panthers’ general manager Dan Morgan set out to restock the ammunition supply for his team’s defense this past offseason, one can’t help but think he knew the weaponry needed more high-caliber pieces with stopping power.
The 2024 Panthers defense finished last in total yards per game allowed (404.5), rushing yards per game allowed (179.8), quarterback pressure rate (25.5%), and EPA per play allowed (+0.10). The unit forced only 17 takeaways, putting them in a tie for No. 20 in the NFL. And finally, the defense surrendered the most touchdowns (59).
How does a front office even go about fixing so many areas of need as quickly as possible? Get yourself what I like to call a Swiss Army hammer.
Carolina Panthers’ Star Safety Earns National Recognition
The prize of the Panthers’ free agent additions, safety Tre’von Moehrig, was named NFL Defensive Player of the Week following his stellar Week 9 performance. In the Carolina victory against the Green Bay Packers, Moehrig accumulated five total tackles (two for loss), two passes defended, and one interception (which he also returned for 35 yards).
The last time a Panthers safety earned the title was when Roman Harper won the award in the final game of the 2014 regular season against the Atlanta Falcons.
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When asked about Moehrig’s impact on the Panthers’ defense on Wednesday, head coach Dave Canales said, “He just plays with a real urgency. He loves it, bottom line. If I could say one thing about (S Tre’von Moehrig), he loves football.”
Canales mentioned another specific benefit that Moehrig has brought to the defense, adding, “He’s looking for opportunities to make a big hit, to make a play. He really brings an explosiveness to what we’re doing on the defensive side.”
The explosiveness was missing on that historically poor 2024 Carolina defense. Through nine games so far, Moehrig has produced 55 total tackles, including 8 for loss, one sack, 2 PBU, and one interception.
Moehrig currently holds a 70.4 score in PFNS’s SAFi.
His Week 9 combination of two tackles for loss, two passes defended, and an interception has only been produced in a single game three times this season. Moehrig is the only defensive back to accomplish that statistic.
More Than the Box Score
What doesn’t show up in the box score is Moehrig’s versatility and what he affords the entire Carolina Panthers defense in terms of varying schematic elements and personnel packages.
Watching a Panthers game, you’ll see No. 7 lined up in the traditional deep safety role in two-high shells or as the center fielder in the team’s most-used Cover 3 looks. Then you’ll notice Moehrig mugging the line of scrimmage as a pressure defender.
He has taken 232 of his 520 snaps aligned in the box. He’s been deployed as the Star in nickel personnel and has even played dime linebacker. His value on run defense can’t be overstated.
He’s recorded 25 stops already through those 520 snaps. His previous career high was last season when he made 29 stops in 1,099 defensive snaps.
Through nine games, the Panthers’ defense ranks 13th in total yards allowed per game, 18th in rushing yards allowed per game, 21st in EPA per play allowed, and is tied for 16th in takeaways with nine, as well as tied for 18th in touchdowns scored against.
The improvements are absolutely a team effort. But you can’t ignore the impact that Moehrig has made.
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So again, what do you do when you have a multitude of problem areas that need fixing, but you might not have unlimited means to do so? Do what the Carolina Panthers did by signing Tre’von Moehrig; you get yourself a Swiss Army hammer.