Panthers Preseason Notebook: GM Dan Morgan Labors To Alter Aging Roster

The Carolina Panthers’ “retooling” process continued Friday.

Working at the start of Labor Day holiday weekend, general manager Dan Morgan took time to tinker with the 16-man practice squad, adding skill and roster competition. Morgan reiterated Thursday the front office will remain aggressive with claims off the waiver wire.

As the lowest-ranked team last season, the Panthers retain the top claimant through Week 3. The Panthers on Friday announced the signings of wide receiver Deon Cain and offensive lineman Brandon Walton. They also released offensive lineman Mason Brooks, safety Alex Cook and defensive tackle Walter Palmore.

With one practice squad opening, The Athletic reported the Panthers intend to sign quarterback John Wolford. The former Wake Forest and Rams signal-caller spent time last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then offensive coordinator Dave Canales, now the Panthers’ coach.

Wolford, who earned a 2022 Super Bowl ring as Matthew Stafford’s backup with the Los Angeles Rams, could join undrafted free agent Jack Plummer as the second quarterback on the practice squad. Veteran Andy Dalton is slated to backup Bryce Young when the Panthers open the season at the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 8.

Since entering the league in 2018, Wolford appeared in seven games (four starts), completing 61 of 104 passes for 626 yards, one touchdown pass and five interceptions. His career rating is 59.2.

When asked about his experience being coached by Canales last season, Wolford told The Athletic: “You’re not going to be anxious playing for Dave Canales. If you rip a pick or rip three picks, he’s just gonna be like, ‘Hey, what’d you see?’ ”

The Panthers Among NFL’s Oldest Squads

Morgan refuses to designate 2024 as a rebuilding season, preferring the term “retooling.” Still, after finishing an NFL-worst 2-15 last season and gutting the roster and coaching staff during the offseason, some insiders would expect the Panthers to emerge as one of the younger squads.

Instead, their average age of 27.2, before Friday’s moves, placed them in a three-way tie with the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders as the league’s second-oldest club. The Miami Dolphins (27.3) were the oldest team and the Green Bay Packers (25.2) were the youngest.

Helping to spike the Panthers’ average-age ranking are six players aged at least 32 years old: Dalton (36), punter Johnny Hekker (34), cornerback Troy Hill (33), long snapper JJ Jensen (38), tight end Jordan Matthews (32) and Adam Thielen (34).