The setting and team have changed, but the objective remains the same for the Carolina Panthers – play competitive football.
Training camp starts Wednesday, July 24, for Carolina. It marks the first time the complete team will be in Charlotte since departing after a listless 2-15 2023 season.
With the return of training camp, head coach Dave Canales must sort through difficult questions ahead of the Sept. 8 opener. Let's take a look at each position group and its central storylines moving forward.
Quarterback
This is the season of Bryce Young. The Panthers will go as he does. At 5-foot-10, height is still a factor for the former No. 1 overall pick. But more concerning is whether Young can avoid being sacked at the rate he was during his rookie season.
Young was brought down in the backfield 62 times. As a result, he finished as the league’s lowest-rated passer. To prevent a similar situation, Carolina added Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis. Canales is also planning to stress the run game and play action to get the ball out of Young's hands quickly. It could work. And if it does, Young may start looking like a No. 1 pick.
Related: Ahead of Panthers training camp, Dave Canales has the one trait that will turn the team around
Running back
Carolina is planning to run the ball. Canales has stressed it all season. The Panthers drafted Jonathon Brooks, who is expected to be cleared to play before the start of the Sept. 8 opener. Carolina also has Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders returning, which ought to help.
Hubbard was a breakout player during the 2023 season, racking up over 900 rushing yards. He is still the top running back on the depth chart. What remains a mystery is Carolina's plans for Sanders, who was the biggest on-field disappointment a season ago.
Tight end
Carolina hasn't had impressive tight end play since Greg Olsen dawned the uniform. At the start of the 2023 season, Tommy Tremble was believed to be a breakout candidate. That never materialized. There are no signs indicating it will in the 2024 season.
Intriguing is Carolina's rookie Ja’Tavion Sanders out of Texas. He appears to be a do-it-all tight end who could play a factor in the receiving game.
Wide receiver
Diontae Johnson is ready to be the top pass catcher in Charlotte. With Young, Johnson is looking to return to his 2021 form that saw him rack up 1,161 yards and 107 catches.
Adam Thielen, 34, is another year older but still appears eager to continue his production. It probably won't be at his 2023 level, but with the addition of rookie Xavier Legette, he won't have to play to that level.
Related: Xavier Legette gets his football prowess from an extremely unusual place
Offensive line
Carolina paid up to improve its offensive line. Between Hunt and Lewis, the Panthers invested $70 million in guaranteed money to ensure Young isn't sacked nearly as much as he was during his rookie season.
It should be interesting to see how well Austin Corbett's shift to center goes. The biggest story is whether left tackle Ikem Ekwonu can find his footing again after allowing 11 sacks during the 2023 season.
Defensive line
The defensive line is run by Derrick Brown. Rightfully so. The question is whether he can back up his record-setting 2023 production with an even bigger year. Alongside A’Shawn Robinson, it should seem feasible for Brown.
Outside linebacker
Outside linebacker may be the position with the most unanswered questions heading into training camp. Carolina has Jadeveon Clowney and the rest is unknown. None of K’Lavon Chaisson, D.J. Wonnum, Amare Barno, Eku Leota are striking fear in the heart of offensive lines.
Related: Jadeveon Clowney signed with the Panthers for reasons that go far beyond football
Inside linebacker
Arguably one of the most underrated moves of the offseason was the Panthers adding Josey Jewell. In his last three full seasons, Jewell has been extremely productive by notching 100-plus tackles and at least two sacks.
Shaq Thompson and rookies Trevin Wallace and Michael Barrett should also be able to contribute at a competitive level. It isn't pretty, but Carolina's inside linebackers are rock solid.
Cornerback
All offseason, Carolina has flirted with Stephon Gilmore. It was a roster move that didn't materialize ahead of training camp, making it a glaring hole Dan Morgan, the Panthers general manager, must fill. Adding to the question marks is the health of Jaycee Horn, which is never a guarantee.
Safety
Don't be fooled, Carolina's safety group is good. Carolina has Jordan Fuller and Nick Scott. Xavier Woods is also back. During the 2023 season, he was rock solid in coverage. Then there is Sam Franklin, who notched a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Specialists
Carolina will have a kicking battle. Eddy Pineiro skipped OTAs while Harrison Mevis put on a show. By Sept. 8, Carolina may have a new kicker by the time the season starts.
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