After a thrilling win to start their preseason in Canton, Ohio, the Carolina Panthers turned in an absolute stinker on the road this weekend against the Buffalo Bills.Buffalo beat the Carolina up at the line of scrimmage, and most other places, while the Panthers offense didn't find its footing until the end result was already well determined.There were, however, some silver linings to be found in the 29-14 defeat.The Panthers' edge rusher group did a pretty good job of getting pressure on Bills superstar Josh Allenwho is probably the most difficult quarterback to sack in the game right now. And that push was led by the team's biggest addition from the offseason, outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips.Carolina fans were thrilled at what they saw in Phillips' preseason debut, where he tallied a sack and another pressure on the game's opening drive. Here's what they're saying . . .Still cant believe we got this guy. Please stay healthy Jaelan https://t.co/L6BkdpAbT5 John Fauxgerty (@_flyentologist) August 15, 2026JAELAN PHILLIPS A GAME CHANGER ON DEFENSE AND HE IS ALL OURS pic.twitter.com/rvw4yyre9M Roaring Riot (@roaringriot) August 15, 2026so Jaelan Phillips seems as advertised iBLsmooth (@iBLsmooth) August 15, 2026Jaelan Phillips is a wrecker man omg CLTPLUGZ (@Panther_Plugz_) August 15, 2026Jaelan Phillips we need this pass rush this year Armandoavenue (@Armandoavenu3) August 15, 2026JAELAN PHILLIPS IS WORTH THE MONEY #KeepPounding Justin Dolloff (@JustinDolloff) August 15, 2026Im gonna love Jaelan Phillips in Charlotte Katieeee (@katieweavil) August 15, 2026Jaelan Phillips. Sweet Lord. Im in love. Travis Hancock (@TBoneWFNZ) August 15, 2026Phillips wasn't the only new face on the Panthers who impressed, though. Carolina's other big-ticket item in free agency, inside linebacker Devin Lloyd also had a strong debut in limited action. Lloyd led the first-team defense in tackles (three), including one for a loss. Lloyd is also getting rave reviews for his first exhibition in process blue . . .You gotta love seeing this out of your middle LBDevin Lloyd reads this all the way and takes down James Cook for a loss pic.twitter.com/cGVmDCNI3r Edgar Salmingo, Jr. (@PanthersAnalyst) August 15, 2026Devin Lloyd looking real Lukeish here pic.twitter.com/2jMIFXzBUe Panthers Highlts (@PanthersHighlts) August 16, 2026Devin Lloyd wearing #55 is so refreshing to see. We used to be a proper country where LBs always had 50s Patrick (@Baller85son) August 15, 2026Devin Lloyd no one will wear 55 after you https://t.co/8yqBDtbMft 99 (@passthechill) August 16, 2026God Im excited for Devin Lloyd with this defense Panthers On Tap (@PanthersOnTap) August 15, 2026Devin Lloyd and Jaelan Phillips look like the best two players on the field for us lmao The Real Ball Watcher (@thaRBW) August 15, 2026As we saw on Saturday, a whole lot can still go wrong for this team. But if these two play well in 2026, it should go a long way towards bringing what was an average defense last season up to the next level.Follow@ThePanthersWireon Twitter/X for more Panthers content.This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers' big FA adds impress in preseason debut: Fans react to Jaelan Phillips, Devin Lloyd