Time to go bold…
The Carolina Panthers are gearing up for what should be a fascinating training camp before the 2024 season. It’s been another offseason of dramatic change across the board. Dan Morgan, Brandt Tilis, and Dave Canales implemented a long-term plan for sustained growth. Patience is key, but signs are pointing up at long last.
Canales spent early offseason workouts getting the fundamentals right and implementing his schematic strategy. Standards have increased and the competition for places is fierce. This same trend must continue over camp if the Panthers want to stand any chance of being more competitive next time around.
Fans are growing in confidence while also approaching this new regime with a sense of caution. Canales’ unrivaled enthusiasm is having a positive impact so far. At the same time, he’s a first-year head coach with one year of NFL play-calling experience to call upon. This gamble was necessary, but it could go either way.
An intriguing few weeks await. Here are four bold Panthers predictions for training camp in 2024.
Bold predictions over Carolina Panthers 2024 training camp
Harrison Mevis wins kicking job
This might not be that bold, but it would still be surprising. And in all honesty, it’s a complication veteran kicker Eddy Pineiro brought on himself.
As most others showed up at some stage over the Carolina Panthers’ early offseason workouts, Pineiro opted to spend his time preparing away from the facility. He showed up for the team’s mandatory minicamp, participating in one of two days. Considering the need for everyone to make a good first impression, it was less than ideal.
Harrison Mevis took full advantage. The undrafted free agent’s leg strength and accuracy were noticed frequently during his initial foray into NFL action. He’s gained a cult following among the fanbase and has a fighting chance of pushing Pineiro every step of the way.
Pineiro isn’t playing the role of mentor or wanting to help Mevis. This is someone trying to take his job, so it’s a position battle to watch closely over camp before the Panthers make their decision.
While Pineiro’s experience gives him the edge for now, don’t be surprised if the Panthers roll with Mevis if he keeps up the same standards when intensity ramps up in Charlotte.
Rashaad Penny makes the Carolina Panthers’ roster
The Carolina Panthers are looking to run the football effectively under new head coach Dave Canales. He wants this to set the tone offensively, which will make things easier for second-year quarterback Bryce Young. Dan Morgan gave him a helping hand to put these ambitious plans into action during his first recruitment period at the helm.
Carolina had underperforming veteran Miles Sanders and the ever-improving Chuba Hubbard to carry the load. That didn’t stop the Panthers from solidifying their running back options – something that should keep everyone on their toes heading into camp.
Raheem Blackshear is back after re-signing on a one-year deal. The Panthers’ boldest move saw them trade up to No. 46 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft for Jonathon Brooks. He’ll start camp on the active/non-football injury list following a torn ACL suffered at Texas in 2023, but he’s got the credentials to be a genuine three-down threat for Young to lean on long-term.
One signing that went relatively overlooked comes into the Panthers with a previous connection to Dave Canales. The Panthers signed Rashaad Penny soon after the draft concluded. He’s missed a lot of time through injury in recent seasons, but the veteran brings a physical running style that most in Carolina’s unit cannot.
Penny knows Canales well from their time together on the Seattle Seahawks. It’s been a long time since he rushed for 749 yards and six touchdowns in 2021. Getting back to this sort of form and staying clear of injury complications is the only way the former first-round pick will make the 53-man roster.
He might seem like an outsider right now, but things can change quickly. Penny could be fresher than most anticipate after barely featuring over the last two years. He’s already familiar with the schematic demands and thrives as a pass blocker out of the backfield. That’s a solid foundation to enter consideration.
Maximizing every touch and displaying the right leadership qualities will help enormously. Much will depend on Brooks’ health and Sanders’ future, but a situation could emerge where Penny makes the team.
Ikem Ekwonu emerges as Carolina Panthers camp MVP
Ikem Ekwonu has more pressure on his shoulders than most entering camp. Things looked so promising for the physically imposing left tackle after an encouraging rookie campaign. However, things took a disastrous turn last time around – something that left his future aspirations hanging in the balance.
Ekwonu’s technical flaws were exposed by blocking concepts that didn’t suit his strengths. The No. 6 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft gave up 11 sacks and conceded 12 penalties from 1,148 offensive snaps en route to a modest 67.4 grade from Pro Football Focus. While the previous regime deserves its fair share of the blame, the North Carolina State product must also be held accountable for a subpar campaign.
The blindside presence admitted to becoming settled and complacent. Ekwonu didn’t look to propel himself to greater heights. That’s a terrible attitude to take after just one season in a professional environment.
That only increases the microscope on Ekwonu this offseason and when the real action arrives. The Carolina Panthers are giving him another chance to cement his status as a franchise cornerstone. Dave Canales’ improved concepts and desire to run the football stubbornly is something else working in his favor.
Things are looking more positive for Ekwonu. Last season should serve as a rude awakening for a player who rested on his laurels. He’s eager to right some wrongs and alleviate concerns about his long-term status. Setting the right tone over drills and scrimmages over camp is imperative to build confidence.
Ekwonu’s performance levels in Year 1 of his time with the Panthers indicate this is possible. He’ll also have a more stable presence alongside him on the interior after Carolina signed Damien Lewis to a lucrative deal to become their new starting left guard. This extra assurance is only going to help, but the edge protector must raise his game considerably to avoid further complications.
If Ekwonu asserts his dominance, rids himself of the flaws that blighted his campaign in 2023, and starts to enjoy his football again, it represents a major step in the right direction.
Carolina Panthers will sign Stephon Gilmore
Dan Morgan adopted an aggressive and ruthless approach to his roster building this offseason. He inherited a terrible mess from the previous regime of which he was part in a lesser role. However, it hasn’t taken long to realize the former linebacker wasn’t a big fan of the way Scott Fitterer went about his business.
This is something Morgan will look to continue heading into Week 1 at the New Orleans Saints. While there isn’t much money to spend, there are ways to work around it if the right opportunities come along. If the general manager believes it’s the best thing for the franchise, he won’t hesitate to pull the trigger.
One position group crying out for additional assistance might be Morgan’s first port of call. The Carolina Panthers are desperately short of dependable cornerback options from the outside looking in. Jaycee Horn is a stud but cannot stay healthy. Troy Hill is an aging slot option. Dane Jackson needs to prove his worth as a dependable starter after joining in free agency from the Buffalo Bills.
Aside from that, there isn’t much to speak of unless someone like Dicaprio Bootle or D’Shawn Jamison emerges into a prominent role. Expect swift action if Morgan and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero don’t like what they see early in camp.
It seems less likely now than it did once upon a time this offseason, but Stephon Gilmore is someone who could help enormously. The veteran corner is frustrated to be without a home at this stage of the offseason. He also knows his worth and is refusing to take less just because of his advancing years.
Gilmore showed enough for the Dallas Cowboys last season to suggest there’s still some good football left. He might have lost a step from his NFL Defensive Player of the Year form with the New England Patriots, but he represents an immediate upgrade on anything Carolina has aside from Horn.
Others will be examining Gilmore’s credentials closely. The Panthers would be wise to move some money around and get him into the building at some stage during camp.
