The 2025 Carolina Panthers made a remarkable turnaround under head coach Dave Canales and GM Dan Morgan, improving from a 5-12 record to secure their first playoff berth since 2017 and their first NFC South title since 2015. Despite a mid-season surge that included a 31-28 upset of the NFC-leading Rams and their first winning record (4-3) since 2021, they finished with a losing record, becoming the first team in NFL history to win two division titles with a losing record (previously done in 2014). Their division crown was clinched via a three-way tiebreaker after a Week 18 loss to Tampa Bay, thanks to a Falcons win over the Saints the next day. The season ended with a narrow 34-31 Wild Card loss to the Rams, but rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan shone, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year with 70 catches for 1,014 yards and 7 touchdowns. The team also released veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson in February and drew an average home attendance of 72,311, the 8th-highest in the NFL.