Bruce Irvin says Panthers defensive front as good as Seahawks in 2013

Former Seahawks linebacker Bruce irvin is comparing the Panthers 2019 defensive front to the Seattle front of 2013. Is he close to being right?

Granted, the Panthers have been pretty good defensively over the last several years, but not as good in 2018. But they have never come close to the 2013 Seahawks. Seattle’s defense in its Super Bowl-winning season was one of the best defenses in the history of the NFL. But former Seahawk Bruce Irvin thinks that Carolina’s defense in 2019 might rival Seattle’s from 2013. How true could this be?

Carolina does have good talent on their front line, but it is mostly unproven. And it is nearly collectively unproven going into 2019. The Panthers signed Gerald McCoy who the Seahawks did not go after but would have been a good fit. Carolina also drafted Brian Burns. Burns has a lot of potential but that is all he is at this moment.

Carolina also has Dontari Poe and Kawann Short on the roster. Both are solid, but much more run-stoppers than edge rushers. Carolina has more interior talent than outside ability. And this is where the 2013 Seattle team and the Panthers of 2019 vary greatly.

The Super Bowl champion Seahawks of 2013 not only had a huge amount of depth at defensive tackle with Tony McDaniel, Brandon Mebane and Red Bryant. But Seattle was blessed with edge rushers who created chaos for opposing quarterbacks.

Seattle’s edge rushers in 2013 included Michael Bennett, Chris Clemons and Cliff Avril. These three combined for 21 sacks. The Panthers of 2019 do not have this kind of talent. I am sure that Irvin was just trying to talk up his new team and didn’t mean anything by comparing the Panthers of this coming season to the Seahawks of 2013. But if he did, the comparison is way off. Seattle was much better and they proved it by winning a Super Bowl.