Panthers Fall to Steelers in Preseason Finale: A Night of Lessons and Lingering Questions

Final Score: Steelers 19, Panthers 10

The Carolina Panthers wrapped up their 2025 preseason with their third consecutive defeat - a 19-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night at Bank of America Stadium. The winless preseason has fans with more questions than answers heading into the regular season – something that has become a familiar pattern despite multiple coaching and staff changes in the past. But the Panthers’ faithful still believe the team may be able to muster what it takes to come out firing in the weeks to come.

First-Half Highlights: Promise Amidst Mistakes

Head Coach Dave Canales made the decision to rest all of his prospective starters as well as some prominent backups on the final night of the preseason. The team's struggle with managing turnovers, however, is one of the things Canales says is on the to-do list before the season opener, "The turnovers is a big thing. We got

to continue to work on that and clean that up. That part is not up to our standard. We moved the ball.

We got down there, but we got to finish.", Canales added during his postgame press conference.

The Panthers showed flashes of potential early in the game. Rookie running back Trevor Etienne opened the night with a shifty 28-yard run, showcasing the burst and vision that made him a fourth-round pick. Quarterback Jack Plummer, filling in for Bryce Young and the injured Andy Dalton, struggled initially but rebounded with a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end James Mitchell, tying the game at 10 before halftime.

Rookie running back Trevor Etienne breaks away for a 28-yard run vs. the Steelers in during the team's final preseason game. The Panthers hosted Pittsburgh in the 19-10 loss.

However, Plummer’s performance was marred by inconsistency. His red-zone interception on Carolina’s third possession was a costly mistake, and many of his completions required receivers to adjust to off-target throws. The Panthers’ offense, while occasionally creative under play-caller Dave Canales, lacked rhythm and execution. But given the fact that it was a preseason game being piloted by players being considered for some of the remaining roster spots and practice squad positions, the result could easily be attributed to the, usually, vanilla playbook developed for the preseason.

Defensive Struggles: Pressure and Coverage Concerns

Defensively, Carolina struggled to generate meaningful pressure on Pittsburgh’s quarterbacks. Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson had ample time in the pocket, allowing them to pick apart the Panthers’ secondary. Thompson, in particular, was impressive going 11 of 13 for 152 passing yards and a touchdown, finishing with a quarterback rating of 141.0.

Pittsburgh’s quarterback Mason Rudolph attempts to connect on a pass under pressure.

The Panthers’ pass rush woes were evident even when their top defenders were on the field. Backup defensive backs struggled in coverage, unable to contain the Steelers’ third- and fourth-string receivers. This lack of depth in the secondary could be a major concern with the regular season just a couple of weeks away.

Standout Performers: Ransom, Etienne, and Fitzgerald Shine

Despite the loss, several Panthers made compelling cases for roster spots:

• Lathan Ransom (S): The rookie safety rebounded from an early pass interference penalty to record a team-high five tackles and the Panthers’ only interception of the preseason. His physicality and instincts were on full display, potentially earning him a larger role alongside veteran Nick Scott.

• Trevor Etienne (RB): Etienne’s explosive run and solid punt return highlighted his versatility. With Raheem Blackshear nursing an ankle injury, Etienne may have secured the third running back spot behind Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle.

• Ryan Fitzgerald (K): The undrafted rookie remained perfect in preseason play, converting a 43-yard field goal and an extra point. His consistency may give him the edge over veteran Matthew Wright, who didn’t attempt a kick in the finale.

  
  

Roster Battles: Tight Ends, Receivers, and Special Teams

The Panthers face tough decisions at several skill positions:

• Wide Receiver: Brycen Tremayne’s absence could signal his roster status, while Jimmy Horn Jr. contributed with a 13-yard reception and solid kick returns. Veteran David Moore, despite limited separation, made enough plays to stay in contention.

• Tight End: James Mitchell’s touchdown catch added intrigue to a crowded tight end room. The Panthers may consider keeping four tight ends, depending on special teams contributions and blocking ability.

• Linebackers and Defensive Line: Jacoby Windmon’s big hit on kickoff coverage energized the sideline, while Cam Jackson and Claudin Cherelus made impactful plays. These performances could influence depth chart decisions.

  
  

Injury Report: Concerns on Both Sides

Injuries cast a shadow over the game:

• Steelers: First-round pick Derrick Harmon suffered a knee injury and was carted off the field. Though he returned to the sideline later, his status remains uncertain.

• Panthers: Outside linebacker Princely Umanmielen (shoulder), offensive tackle Ja'Tyre Carter (ankle), and running back Raheem Blackshear (ankle) all exited with injuries. Their availability for Week 1 is now in question.

Looking Ahead: Regular Season Looms

With the preseason behind them, the Panthers now turn their attention to the regular season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 7. Carolina’s, preseason may not have delivered wins, but it did offer clarity. Roster battles are coming into focus, and young talent like Ransom and Etienne are emerging. Still, the team must address glaring issues—particularly on defense and at quarterback depth—if they hope to compete in 2025.

The Panthers’ 19-10 loss to the Steelers wasn’t just a preseason defeat—it was a mirror reflecting the team’s strengths, weaknesses, and unanswered questions. While individual performances offered hope, the overall execution, a running theme for more than seven years of Panthers’ rosters, left much to be desired. The Carolina Panthers need to quickly transform lessons into progress, or risk falling behind in the NFC South. But to get to that juncture, Canales, General Manager Dan Morgan and the team’s coaching staff must grapple with some tough decisions as they prepare to trip the roster down to the required 53-man limit. Nonetheless, the Panthers’, as all teams in the league, start week one with a clean slate.