The Carolina Panthers announced on Friday that they have released cornerback Dane Jackson following one season with the team. Julian Council reacts to the Panthers no-brainer decision to let Jackson go. 

The Panthers also announced several coaching additions on Thursday as they've hired Renaldo Hill as secondary coach, AC Carter as outside linebackers coach, Keyshawn Colmon as offensive assistant, and Kevin Peterson as defensive assistant. While also elevating current staffers to bigger roles ahead of the 2025 season. 

Julian answers listeners mailbag questions, including questions pertaining to the Panthers pursuit of veteran edge rushers this offseason. Could a Haason Reddick return to Carolina be in order? Is Joey Bosa a candidate to come to Carolina if he's released in Los Angeles?

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Introducing Philadelphia Eagles BAD HIRE at OC, New York Giants Matthew Stafford Trade & Commanders Splash Move from Locked On NFL – Daily Podcast On The National Football League.

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The Philadelphia Eagles are coming off a Super Bowl championship and that comes with a talent drain. How you replace the lost talent is what determines your ability to bounce back, but the Eagles and Nick Sirianni have made the same mistake they did in 2023. The New York Giants need to win now and trading for a veteran quarterback is the quickest way to do so. With Matthew Stafford rumored to be on the market, the Giants seem like a perfect fit in a trade. The Washington Commanders need to make a big move while their window is open and the Dallas Cowboys have finally done something they rarely do, be boring.

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

In this week's NFL Squad, the crew discusses which teams who finished near the bottom of the NFL last season will more than likely remain in the basement this upcoming season, which NFL Draft prospect is the best pound for pound player, a debate on Cam Ward/Shedeur Sanders, and where players like Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp, Aaron Rodgers, and Deebo Samuel would be the best fits.

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On Wednesday, the NFL issued a memo to clubs projecting a salary cap range of $277.5 million to $281.5 million per team for the 2025 season. This estimate exceeds what teams had anticipated, as most were budgeting for a salary cap between $265 million and $275 million. With the projected salary cap increase of $22.1 million to $26.1 million, how will this affect the Panthers as they head into free agency?

According to Over The Cap, the Panthers are expected to have around $24 million in available cap space. Julian Council discusses potential moves the Panthers could make to create additional salary cap space.

Additionally, the NFL's franchise tag window opened on Monday. While the Panthers currently do not have any players on their roster who are candidates for the franchise tag, there are several players they will be monitoring over the next 12 days to see what decisions their current teams make.

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In 2024, the Carolina Panthers defense had a disastrous season, infamously setting an NFL record for the worst scoring defense. Despite these poor performance numbers, the Panthers' defensive coordinator is set to return for a third season with the team. Given the struggles faced during the 2024 season, there are several pressing needs for improvement across the defensive unit. The question remains: Can Dan Morgan and Brandt Tillis successfully rebuild the Panthers' defense in just one offseason?

As the Panthers look ahead, three major questions loom over the team this offseason. According to Julian Council, the primary concerns are whether the Panthers will extend Jaycee Horn's contract, whether they will add help on the EDGE rusher front, and how they will address their ability to stop the run in 2025?

What should the early expectations be for the Panthers' defense leading up to the free agency period?

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Introducing Carolina Panthers Bryce Young Breakout Incoming, Buccaneers Step Back & Saints Identity Crisis from Locked On NFL – Daily Podcast On The National Football League.

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The NFC South is one of the most interesting division to watch as the 2025 NFL offseason begins. Specifically the Carolina Panthers who got improved play from Bryce Young during the back half of 2024 and now can build around him as intended. The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the top two teams in the division last season, but both look like they could take a step back in 2025. Finally, the New Orleans Saints hired Kellen Moore, but what they do next will tell us if they have truly committed to the proper path.

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

The Carolina Panthers announced on Friday that long snapper JJ Jansen will return for his 17th season with the team in 2025. While Jansen is all set to come back, will Eddy Pineiro and Johnny Hekker also return with the Panthers next season?

Pineiro has established himself as one of the most accurate kickers in the NFL, but will his choice to skip OTA last offseason, along with his limited leg strength, prompt the Panthers to seek another kicker, like Matthew Wright, who they signed last week?

Hekker hasn't been a Pro Bowler or All-Pro since 2017. With his best days behind him, should the team consider getting younger at the position?

Which free agent special teams performers should the Panthers prioritize before the new league year begins?

Julian Council evaluates how the Panthers should approach special teams this offseason.

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How will the Carolina Panthers reshape their safety room for the upcoming NFL season? With key players like Xavier Woods and Jordan Fuller facing free agency, the Panthers are at a crossroads.

Julian Council breaks down the Panthers 2024 safety performance, spotlighting standout moments from undrafted free agaent rookie Demani Richardson and the struggles from the rest of the starting unit. He explores potential free agency targets like Trevon Moehig and Javon Holland, and considers draft prospects such as Malaki Starks and Andrew Makuba. Council's analysis offers a strategic look at how the Panthers can balance their roster needs while maintaining a competitive edge.

Tune in to discover how the Panthers plan to tackle their safety challenges and what moves could redefine their defensive strategy.

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Cam Newton stirred controversy in Panthers Nation earlier this week when he stated in a podcast that when he arrived in Carolina as the No. 1 overall pick, he entered a "locker room of losers." One former player who took issue with this comment was Steve Smith Sr., who was Newton's top receiver during his first few years with the team. This isn't the first time Newton has been critical of the organization recently, prompting Panthers fans to wonder about the state of his relationship with the team.

The Panthers are one of four teams—alongside the Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, and Seattle Seahawks—eligible to be featured on HBO's *Hard Knocks* this season. Given Bryce Young's impressive turnaround, are the Panthers the most compelling option among these teams?

Instead of selecting a player with the eighth overall pick in the NFL Draft, should the Panthers consider trading back to address more needs within the top 100 picks?

Julian Council addresses these listener questions in this week's edition of the Weekly Friday Mailbag.

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Introducing New York Jets Aaron Rodgers RETIREMENT?? Final Super Bowl Thoughts & Trevor Lawrence Trade Nonsense from Locked On NFL – Daily Podcast On The National Football League.

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The New York Jets have officially announced they are parting ways with Aaron Rodgers and it looks like retirement could be the most likely path forward for the all-time great. What would the Jets do at quarterback in his absence? As we finish our first week without NFL football, we give our final thoughts on the Super Bowl. Jalen Hurts is good, but not elite and what the Kansas City Chiefs need to do from here to get back to winning the big game. Finally, we got a complete false rumor on Thursday that Trevor Lawrence could be on the trading block for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but as the Jaguars revealed themselves, this thought was always insane and Lawrence should not be on the table.

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].