Panthers Notebook: Team Captains Set; TE Signing Adds Depth; GM Dan Morgan Helps Fix Finances

The Carolina Panthers’ players picked the leaders of their peer group.

Defensive tackle Derrick Brown, safety/special teams ace Sam Franklin Jr., linebacker Shaq Thompson and quarterback Bryce Young were elected to serve as team captains, coach Dave Canales said Wednesday, per Panthers.com.

“The people spoke,” Canales said after Wednesday’s practice. “And there was a lot of votes for both guys, and I just said, ‘Great, that’s fantastic.’

“That’s exactly what we want is for guys to identify that leadership, the people that stand for what we’re about here, our play style, playing with great effort, great enthusiasm, toughness, playing smart and finish.”

Thompson remains familiar with the role. The 2015 first-round draft pick will serve as a team captain for the fifth time. He remains the locker room’s elder statesman entering Sunday’s season opener at the New Orleans Saints.

A second-year starter and captain, Young’s leadership has been lauded by teammates throughout the offseason program. His rookie struggles appear to have emboldened him to his teammates.

A first-time captain, Brown played in the Pro Bowl last season after establishing a league record for tackles by a defensive tackle (103). Brown signed a four-year, $96 million contract last April.

Franklin, another first-time captain, will represent the special teams’ units. Opening the season on injured reserve, Franklin (broken foot) will miss his game since 2021.

The Panthers also will vote weekly on a rotating basis for an alternate captain.

“These are guys that finish everything they do,” Canales said. “So, I love that they chose the guys they did because they really exemplify what we’re looking for from our team.”

Panthers Add Prospect Messiah Swinson To Needy TE Room

The Panthers piqued insiders’ curiosities Tuesday after announcing the addition of Messiah Swinson off the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad and slotting the rookie tight end on the 53-man roster.

An undrafted free agent, Swinson bolsters positional depth with Tommy Tremble (hamstring) and Ian Thomas (calf) out with lingering injuries. Rookie Ja’Tavion Sanders and veteran Jordan Matthews, who was elevated from the practice squad, are expected to play major roles against the Saints.

An undrafted free agent, the former Arizona State standout earned an initial offseason opportunity with the Packers, but was cut and re-signed to their practice squad. That’s when the Panthers poached the 6-foot-7, 259-pound prospect. Swinson compiled 28 catches for 317 yards and two touchdowns for the Sun Devils last season. He did not record a catch in one Packers preseason appearance.

Panthers Make Deals, Reduce Salary Cap Space

Facing a $4.5 shortfall, the Panthers reshaped their salary-cap situation after general manager Dan Morgan helped to restructure two contracts, helping to save the franchise $10.7 million.

For Taylor Moton, the process is becoming routine. It was the third consecutive offseason, the starting tackle agreed to alter the terms of his deal. Proving his durability, Moton hasn’t missed a game since being drafted in 2017.

After signing a three-year, $19.5 million contract in 2022, Tuttle started all 17 games last season, collecting 43 tackles and a half sack.