PHOTO | CAROLINA PANTHERS

Carolina Panthers left tackle Trent Scott started four games last year after signing a free agent deal upon being waived by the Chargers. He’s back to compete for the job in 2021.

Training camp is around the corner for the Carolina Panthers, and so are questions.

After going 5-11 in Matt Rhule’s first season as coach, the Panthers are still in transition, especially at quarterback and offensive line. The defense is still one of the NFL’s youngest, and it remains to be seen if there’s a franchise quarterback on the roster. We’ll start to arrive at some answers starting on July 28 when the first practice session opens.

Among the subjects of intense scrutiny are:

Sam Darnold’s effectiveness at quarterback.
This will be the main topic of conversation throughout camp. Darnold was nothing less than a riddle in three seasons with the Jets, which is appropriate because they were terrible as a team. The Panthers, however, believe Darnold is a starting NFL quarterback with tons of potential that can be realized in their offense.

No doubt he’ll have way more skill-position weapons in Carolina, but to win big in this league, quarterbacks can’t be bystanders.

The good news for everyone is it won’t take long to find out whether Darnold is an upgrade over Teddy Bridgewater, who stumbled in game-winning situations in his only season in Charlotte, or more of the same.

Vertical weapons.
D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson each went over 1,000-yards receiving last year, which made Curtis Samuel expendable in free agency.

Anderson is playing for a new deal and Moore is on the final year of his rookie contract and certainly in line for an extension. Their futures are tied at least in part to Darnold’s handling of the offense and ability to get the ball to them. Together, Moore and Anderson give Carolina home run threats on the outside, so there’s no reason for Darnold not to succeed as a passer.

Brian Burns and Hasson Reddick ready to wreak havoc as edge rushers.

Reddick, who was signed as a free agent during the offseason, had his best campaign in 2020 with Arizona, racking up his first double-digit sack season. Meanwhile, Burns was one sack away from his first double-digit sack season. If these two can continue the upward trajectory, Carolina’s pass rush can be really good.

Make a decision (or not) at left tackle. There’s a logjam of contenders, starting with Cameron Erving, a journeyman who is on his fourth team in six seasons. The Panthers believe a little consistency and good health are what Erving needs to be the answer, but don’t underestimate Trent Scott, who was brought in on waivers last year from the Chargers and more than held his own last season as a spot starter.  

Rookie class picture.
Top draft pick Jaycee Horn drew raves in offseason camps for his competitive nature and physical approach to playing cornerback, so his progression will likely lead to a starting spot when the regular season kicks off.

The offensive rookie draft pick worth keeping an eye on might be Chuba Hubbard, an electrifying running back who broke into the national consciousness with a 2,000-yard rushing season at Oklahoma State in 2019. Hubbard’s production slid in 2020, which is why he was available in the fourth round, but he’s likely to get every opportunity to back up Christian McCaffrey and get some valuable touches as well.

Roster surprises.
Undrafted free agents usually don’t draw a lot of attention, but guard David Moore has in preseason workouts. The Grambling State alum fell into Carolina’s lap after the draft and if training camp goes anything like minicamps, Moore will be a strong candidate to make the squad.

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