CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-15)
OPEN CAMP: July 23, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
LAST YEAR: With as many coaches as victories, the Panthers face-planted out of the gate in 2023 and coach Frank Reich paid with his job a month before Christmas with Carolina flailing at 1-10. Interim head coach Chris Tabor had little runway to work with and the Panthers scored fewer than 10 points in four of the final five regular-season games, one of which was a 9-7 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Owner David Tepper hit reset in what’s becoming an annual ritual, contributing to the franchise treading to stay above water with no sign of the playoffs in sight.
KEY ADDITIONS: RB Jonathon Brooks, OLB K’Lavon Chaisson, OLB Jadeveon Clowney, S Jordan Fuller, OG Robert Hunt, CB Dane Jackson, WR Diontae Johnson, WR Xavier Legette, OG Damien Lewis, WR David Moore, RB Rashad Penny, TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, S Nick Scott, CB Chau Smith-Wade, LB Trevin Wallace, OLB D.J. Wonnum
KEY LOSSES: S Vonn Bell, S Jeremy Chinn, C Bradley Bozeman, OLB Brian Burns, WR DJ Chark, OG Gabe Jackson, CB C.J. Henderson, CB Shaquill Griffin, TE Hayden Hurst, LB Deion James, LB Frankie Luvu, WR Laviska Shenault Jr., DL DeShawn Williams
CAMP CHECKLIST: The to-do list is lengthy and the target is a turnaround, which the latest Carolina brass wants to begin by changing the team’s identity. That starts with the twin set of road-grading guards the Panthers signed in free agency, Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis. There’s also a top-down reconstruction of the wide receiver depth chart that includes first-round pick Legette and former Steelers No. 1 Johnson, two pieces the Panthers hope can spark a bounceback season for Bryce Young. And don’t look now, but the Panthers have enough talent to be a legitimate pace-setting defense.
2024 EXPECTATIONS: Baby steps. First-year head coach Dave Canales would welcome an instant contender, but the Panthers need to prove they can walk before they run. Contending is relative in the NFC South, where a .500 record meant a division title the past two seasons. Even so, this franchise has one two-game winning streak and one three-game streak — to begin the 2021 season — over the last 51 games. During that time, Carolina has 14 wins. A turnaround depends on the development of Young. He had 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, lost six fumbles and was sacked 62 times as a rookie. Carolina invested heavily in the offensive line, and the Panthers want a team that outwardly exudes the “pound the rock” slogan of recent glory years during the Ron Rivera peak.
PRESEASON SCHEDULE:
Week 1: at New England Patriots, 7 p.m. ET, Thursday, Aug. 8
Week 2: vs. New York Jets, 7 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 17
Week 3: at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 24
–Field Level Media