The Hall of Fame Game didn’t settle any roster battles for the Carolina Panthers, but it did sharpen the picture at the bottom of the depth chart. A few players made strong cases, and a few others helped themselves enough to keep their names in the mix as the team moves toward final cuts before Week 1.
Right now, the Panthers’ projected 53-man roster still has some moving parts, but the latest look suggests the final decisions are starting to come into focus. The team will keep updating that picture each week until the cutdown deadline arrives.
One of the clearest takeaways from the game came at running back. AJ Dillon put together a solid showing, but he remains RB4 for now because Trevor Etienne’s special teams value carries real weight when roster spots are tight. That kind of contribution can tip the balance, and Etienne has that edge.
At receiver, David Moore continues to have the trust of the coaching staff, but the group behind him got more interesting after the Hall of Fame Game. Jimmy Horn, Ja’Seem Reed, and John Metchie all improved their standing with what they put on tape.
Up front, Chandler Zavala had a strong outing, and the Panthers still have no obvious reason to part with any of their three tight ends. Haynes King also earned a place on the roster projection for the moment, even though he is injured.
The defensive side saw a few players make real noise. Cam Gill helped himself with his performance, which gives him a better shot at sneaking onto the roster.
Elijah Garcia also moved himself into position for more snaps. Lathan Ransom and Zakee Wheatley were already in decent shape, but after their Hall of Fame Game performances, they no longer look like players the Panthers can simply cut loose.
Jackson Kuwatch is still hanging on the edge of the roster, but his special teams work is keeping him in the conversation for now.
The specialists are straightforward. JJ Jansen is the long snapper, Sam Martin is the punter, and Ryan Fitzgerald is the kicker. There doesn’t appear to be any competition there.
In Other News...
Haynes King May Have Forced Panthers To Reimagine Bryce Youngs Offense
Haynes Kings showing in the NFL Hall of Fame Game gave the Panthers something more than a strong preseason snapshot. He looked sharper as a passer and dangerous with his legs, the kind of dual-threat performance that can force a coaching staff to think beyond the usual quarterback script. Even with Bryce Young still established as Carolinas starter, Kings speed and rushing ability have opened the door to more creative usage if the team wants to squeeze another playmaker onto the field.
That possibility is where the intrigue starts. ESPNs Adam Schefter reported the Panthers could explore using King as a dynamic threat in the backfield or from the slot, which would put his skill set in a very different lane from a standard backup quarterback role. If Carolina goes that direction, it could mean more hybrid formations and more pressure on defenses to account for King as a runner or receiver, leaving the bigger question of how far the Panthers are willing to reshape the offense around that idea. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Give Bryce Young Another Proven Weapon For NFC Push
The Panthers have made another move to bolster the passing game, agreeing to a one-year contract with former Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter. Waller arrives with recent stops in Miami and New York on his rsum, and Carolina is counting on him to add both depth and proven receiving ability as it continues shaping the offense around Bryce Young.
For a team looking ahead to the 2026 season, this is the kind of addition that can matter in more ways than one. The Panthers have spent plenty of time trying to give Young a steadier set of options, and Waller brings a track record that should make him an immediate focal point in that effort. The real question now is how quickly Carolina can turn this into a more productive and more flexible attack. [Read more 🡒]