The Carolina Panthers have a handful of jobs that are already spoken for heading into training camp. Bryce Young, Tetairoa McMillan, Devin Lloyd, Taylor Moton, Derrick Brown, Tre'von Moehrig, Jaycee Horn, and others should be locked in without much drama.
But a few spots are still wide open, and those battles could shape the shape of the roster once camp settles in.
Left tackle is the biggest one. Monroe Freeling, the highly regarded prospect, is going head-to-head with Rasheed Walker. Right now, it looks like Walker has the edge, though that could change quickly.
Center is just as important, if not more so in terms of the quarterback connection. The winner there has to handle protections and sync cleanly with Bryce Young. Luke Fortner, the veteran addition, is battling rookie Sam Hecht, and this one feels much less settled than the left tackle job.
The final starting receiver spot is also up for grabs. The Panthers know they’ll use three starters at wideout, but only two are set at the moment. Xavier Legette and Chris Brazzell II appear to be the main contenders for that last role, even if Jimmy Horn Jr. and John Metchie III are part of the conversation.
Free safety is another spot worth watching. Nick Scott is back on a one-year deal and is currently in line to start, but Lathan Ransom and Zakee Wheatley are right there behind him. Scott has the coaching staff’s trust, yet Wheatley stands out as a promising young option, and Ransom flashed enough as a rookie to stay in the mix even if his skill set may overlap too much with Tre'von Moehrig.
At linebacker, Trevin Wallace is the presumed starter on the second level. The depth behind him is thin, with special teamers and seventh-round pick Jackson Kuwatch filling out the chart. Wallace has not done enough to make the job feel completely safe, so there’s at least a chance someone can push him.
Up front, the Panthers have another cluster of competition. Because the defensive front includes right and left defensive end plus nose tackle, the group has to be sorted carefully.
Derrick Brown is the only player fully secure in his spot. With Tershawn Wharton hurt, Cam Jackson, Aaron Hall, LaBryan Ray, Lee Hunter, and Bobby Brown II are competing for the other two openings.
In Other News...
Panthers Just Reunited With An Edge Rusher Fans Will Recognize
The Panthers are adding another edge option with a familiar name in the mix, bringing back a pass rusher who has been on the NFL radar after a standout spring in the United Football League. He arrives off a season that put him at the top of the UFLs defensive awards race and included a single-season sack record, the kind of production that tends to reopen doors in the league even for players who have already spent time bouncing around rosters.
There is also a bit of recent Carolina history here, since he was with the Panthers in 2024 and saw action in 10 games while logging 22 tackles. For Carolina, the move fits the usual late-summer search for help up front, but it also keeps alive a little pipeline story from the UFL, where former Louisville Kings players have continued to find NFL opportunities since that leagues first season wrapped up. [Read more 🡒]
David Tepper Just Raised The Stakes On Panthers Stadium Plans
David Tepper is putting even more money into the Bank of America Stadium overhaul, adding another $500 million to a project that was already one of the biggest bets in Charlotte sports. The latest infusion pushes the renovation into a new financial tier, with the work centered on expanded gathering areas, upgraded technology and a broader effort to make the building feel active beyond Panthers game days.
The plan is still being framed as a partnership between Tepper Sports & Entertainment and the city of Charlotte, but the added investment underscores how aggressive the push has become. Along with the stadium upgrades, the vision now includes a new entertainment venue designed to help turn the site into a year-round destination, and the full project is still on track to be finished by 2030. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Offense Enters Year 2 With A Major Coaching Shift
The Panthers are heading into the second year of Dave Canales tenure with a notable change on the offensive side, one that speaks as much to process as it does to play design. Canales is still deeply involved in the offense, but the day-to-day calling of plays has shifted to Brad Idzik, while Darrell Bevells arrival gives the staff another veteran voice with experience helping shape game plans and in-game decisions.
For Carolina, the move is less about tearing anything down than about refining how the group operates after a year of learning each other. General manager Dan Morgan has backed Canales for making the kind of tough call that can define a staff, and the hope inside the building is that the adjustment helps the offense stay sharper, more collaborative, and better prepared for the expectations that come with Year 2. [Read more 🡒]