Panthers need Shemar Bartholomew, CBs to emerge   

JEFF HAWKINS | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Second-year cornerback Shemar Bartholomew has an opportunity to earn a spot higher up the Carolina Panthers depth chart.

Sprinting down the sideline on the practice field behind Bank of America Stadium, Shemar Bartholomew held the ball aloft like a prize. 

Defensive teammates excitedly chased after the Carolina Panthers’ second-year cornerback following his workout-ending interception for an impromptu end zone party. Capping the moment, offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu infiltrated the lines and, as the lone offensive player in the group, swiped the ball and escaped. 

Jogging away with a flock of joyous teammates, Bartholomew didn’t seem to care who ended up with the ball. He made his statement. 

Can Panthers improve pass-rush to help DBs?

Dave Canales remains confident in starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson. The Panthers’ coach also called out Chau Smith-Wade for his ability to play inside and out. 

After recently inking multi-year contract extensions, Horn and Jackson stood out on a defense that yielded an NFL all-time worst 534 points last season. Most analysts targeted the injury-plagued Panthers’ inability to stop the run as the unit’s most prolific problem.  

Lowlighted by allowing opponents to rush for at least 200 yards in each of their final six outings, the Panthers yielded 3,057 rushing yards, third-most in NFL history. To enhance the defensive line, general manager Dan Morgan signed free agent defensive tackle Bobby Brown III and drafted Cam Jackson. 

Will it be enough to aid one of the NFL’s most underappreciated cornerback duos? 

Paced by Jackson’s 17 passes defended, the pair combined for a league-best 30 despite playing behind an inconsistent pass rush. The Panthers produced the league’s lowest pressure rate (16.2%). 

As the Panthers close OTAs on Thursday and prepare for mandatory minicamp June 10-12, the coaching staff will continue focusing on improving cornerback depth. 

Bartholomew and Akayleb Evans, who participated with the second unit Tuesday, played limited roles last season. Bartholomew flashed a smile when asked about an increased role.

“I’m a team guy,” he said. “My expectation is to win. Whenever my name is called, I’m playing my role. Whether that’s special steams or corner, wherever they need me, that’s where I’ll be.” 

Bartholomew: ‘There’s always opportunity’  

Undrafted in 2024, Bartholomew signed with the New York Jets and stood out during his first offseason program. Morgan spotted the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder when the teams staged a joint practice in Charlotte last August. When Bartholomew was released, Morgan beat out at least four other teams bidding for his services.

Bartholomew dressed for five games and received an extended run in the season-ending win against Atlanta, collecting three tackles (two solo) and two passes defended. 

With Horn signing a four-year, $100 million extension and Jackson inking a two-year, $14.5 million free-agent deal, the Panthers enter 2025 with their starting tandem. But to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017, they need quality depth.

“I really feel good about the competition that’s happening there (in the secondary),” said Canales, adding the team will remain active on the free-agent market over the summer. Bartholomew understands. 
In the NFL, “there’s always opportunity,” he said. 

When asked about his practice-ending interception, Bartholomew couldn’t recall many details, like who threw the pass.

“No telling,” he said, explaining his focus was on pre-snap responsibilities. “I couldn’t tell you myself. I was looking at the formations and everything that was going on and ID what I needed to do. I don’t even know if the ball was going to my guy. I just saw the ball and made a play.” 

For posterity, backup Andy Dalton tossed the interception.

“I love seeing the juice,” Canales said. “The whole group running down ... practicing their celebrations. This energy comes from them. We love it.” 

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