The Carolina Panthers' key offseason addition reveals the secret behind his most unique trait

Newly minted Carolina Panthers linebacker Josey Jewell has more to him than meets the eye.

Through training camp, the linebacker has been everything the Panthers expected, drawing praise from defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero .

But his intrigue doesn't merely stop on the gridiron. Jewell also has an interesting backstory as to how he got such a unique name. On Good Morning Football Tuesday , Jewell detailed the name came from his father's obsession with Western movies and Clint Eastwood.

"My dad was a big Clint Eastwood fan," Jewell said. "Josey Wales was the inspiration behind my name. That is what he named me after. It's taken off since college. He always had me watching the movie. We watched a lot of Clint Eastwood stuff back in the day, so I enjoy the Westerns."

Jewell, back to playing alongside Evero, who he worked with in seasons past, got a name that rolls off the tongue because of Clint Eastwood. Who would have thought?

Josey Jewell on how good that Panthers can be

Aside from a cool name, Jewell also detailed his expectations for the Panthers moving forward.

He didn't come to Charlotte to lose. He explained the Panthers have all the pieces to be a team that competes every week in the NFC South.

"I think we should be feeling pretty good," Jewell said. "We got a lot of good pieces this offseason. Coach [Dave] Canales has put a lot of good things together. I'm excited to play. I'm glad to be back with a defensive coordinator [ Evero ] and linebacker coach [Peter Hansen] I was with a couple of years ago. There are a lot of good things at camp, but of course, we have to keep on stacking those days to be able to get where we want to be."

The familiar coaches may help the Panthers get the most out of Jewell. When he previously played under their tutelage, Jewell enjoyed a breakout campaign, notching 128 combined tackles, 70 solo tackles, seven tackles for loss, and two interceptions — all career-bests — across 13 games.

During the 2023 season, the 29-year-old was less effective. He appeared in more games but posted 108 combined tackles, 60 solo stops, two tackles for loss and zero interceptions.

Next to Shaq Thompson, who by all accounts is finding his footing again , Jewell is looking for another career season.