The Carolina Panthers will open the 2025 NFL season with a high-profile matchup.
The Panthers will travel to face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars and April’s No. 2 overall draft pick, Travis Hunter, who could take the field as a two-way player.
As a cornerback on defense, he could line up opposite Panthers rookie Tetairoa McMillan, the No. 8 overall pick. As a wide receiver on offense, he could attract the attention of the Panthers’ new $100 million cornerback, Jaycee Horn.
That is not the only interesting Week 1 storyline.
#Panthers will open the 2025 #NFL regular season at #Jaguars and get the first look at rookie Travis Hunter, according to Fox Sports. The league-wide schedule release party is tonight at 8 p.m. ET. pic.twitter.com/DmQcsRDclN
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) May 14, 2025
Panthers At Jaguars’ Opener Turning Into Family Affair
Panthers rookie running back Trevor Etienne is six years younger than his older brother, Travis, the Jaguars’ running back. But they have always been close. Because of their age, the brothers have never played on the same team or been on a competitive field together.
That could change in September.
Trevor Etienne, who signed Tuesday, could open his NFL career with his brother on the opposing sideline. Travis, a 2021 first-round draft pick, posted 558 rushing yards on 150 carries and two touchdowns last season.
The matchup also features the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ previous two offensive coordinators, Panthers’ Dave Canales and Jaguars’ Liam Coen.
The Panthers, who are a combined 7-27 the past two seasons, have not qualified for the playoffs since 2017. They could feel optimistic this season, however. The last two times the Panthers opened the regular season against the Jaguars (2003 and ‘15), they qualified for the Super Bowl.
The Panthers’ schedule could play a role in the franchise returning to the playoffs. According to Sharp Football Analysis, the Panthers possess the league’s seventh-easiest schedule, pitted against 10 squads ranked within the 11 easiest schedules. They only face four teams who made the playoffs last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers.
With #Panthers reportedly facing #Jaguars in 2025 #NFL regular-season opener, rookie RB Trevor Etienne (23) could face his older brother, Travis … pic.twitter.com/MKIdScEozO
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) May 14, 2025
Carolina Panthers’ 2025 NFL Schedule
Date, Opponent, Time
Preseason
- Aug. 8, vs. Cleveland Browns, 7 p.m.
- Aug. 16, at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
- Aug. 21, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 7 p.m.
Regular Season
- Sept. 7 at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
- Sept. 14 at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m.
- Sept. 21 vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
- Sept. 28 at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
- Oct. 5 vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
- Oct. 12 vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m.
- Oct. 19 at N.Y. Jets, 1 p.m.
- Oct. 26 vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
- Nov. 2 at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
- Nov. 7 vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
- Nov. 16 at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
- Nov. 24 at San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m.
- Nov. 30 vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1 p.m.
- Bye
- Dec. 14 at New Orleans Saints, 4:25 p.m.
- Dec. 21 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
- TBD vs. Seattle Seahawks, TBD
- TBD at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, TBD
@Panthers endured a bit of a delay at the close of Saturday’s #NFL rookie camp ,,, pic.twitter.com/VwxdC1opch
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) May 11, 2025
