Carolina Panthers OTAs: Check out these developments

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Running back Jonathon Brooks, who missed all but three games in his frist two seasons with the Panthers due to knee injuries, is expected to compete for carries in 2026 along with A.J. Dillon behind starter Chuba Hubbard.

The Carolina Panthers are looking for investments to blossom.

Rookies and veterans are on the field together for the first time at the Bank of America Stadium campus, and with it is a first peek for coaches and players to evaluate the potential for a successful season. Carolina won the NFC South last season despite an 8-9 record, so there’s room for improvement. 

Training camp is still a couple of months away, but there’s much to consider as the battle for roster spots becomes more urgent.

Here are four points to watch:

Bryce Young’s backup

Andy Dalton, Young’s backup, mentor and occasional starter the last three seasons, is gone and with him a steadying influence in the huddle and classroom. The well-traveled Kenny Pickett is supposed to be QB2, but could undrafted rookie Haynes King play his way into consideration? How about Will Grier, an oldie but goodie who suited up for Carolina back in the day?

No way Carolina carries more than three quarterbacks this season and quite likely just two. Will the Panthers go for perennial (and not necessarily the best kind of) NFL backups, or do they kick the tires with King, who may be the best athlete in the group despite a lack of experience?

Linebacker stability

Carolina strengthened this group on paper with the arrival of Devin Lloyd via free agency, in what might be general manager Dan Morgan’s best offseason signing. Next up is getting someone – anyone – to stay healthy long enough to contribute. Trevin Wallace has been inconsistent over his first two seasons but has the physical gifts. Veteran Claudin Cherelus has played in spot duty but primarily excels on special teams. 

Adding a bit of intrigue is seventh-round pick Jackson Kuwatch, a tackling machine at Miami (Ohio) who might have a shot at challenging for playing time.

Jaelan Phillips investment

Morgan earned praise for snatching up Lloyd, but there’s no consensus on Phillips, a pass-rushing specialist who signed a four-year, $120 million free agent deal. The physical prowess is abundant, but his production has been hit-and-miss, which explains why Philadelphia was OK with letting him go. 

If defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero can maximize what’s good about Phillips, it’ll be a massive upgrade for Carolina, which was middle-of-the-pack defensively last season. If not, skeptics will circle Morgan to criticize him for overpaying.

Running back rotation

Carolina has its workhorse in Chuba Hubbard, who was slowed by injury last season but still a capable starter. Coach Dave Canales is a big believer in sharing carries, which is why the Panthers are excited by Jonathon Brooks’ progress from a pair of ACL injuries that sidelined him for all but three games his first two seasons. 

If Brooks still has the explosiveness that made him the first running back taken in 2024, Carolina benefits mightily. A.J. Dillon, a free agent pickup who was limited to 12 carries for 60 yards over seven games last year with Philadelphia after spending four seasons in Green Bay, will certainly be in the mix as a big back (6-0, 247 pounds) who can move the sticks. Fun fact: 23.6% of Dillon’s 609 NFL carries have resulted in first downs.

Comments