These Carolina Panthers players are looking to avoid demotion.
Competition for places is going to be intense when the Carolina Panthers begin ramping up preparations for the 2024 season during their first full training camp in Charlotte.
Everyone who survived Dan Morgan’s roster revamp throughout the offseason is getting a shot at proving their worth. Standards are higher under Dave Canales’ staff, but the head coach has already stated that high-performance levels will be rewarded regardless of their current depth chart statuses.
The Panthers have nowhere to go but up. They are the league’s bottom feeder after a disgraceful 2023 campaign. Canales believes this can turn around quickly. That all starts by laying the correct foundations throughout camp in readiness for some stiff upcoming challenges during the regular season.
It’ll be interesting to watch various dynamics unfold in the coming weeks. Very few can be assured of their respective roles if the production doesn’t match. With this in mind, here are five Panthers players who could be demoted during the team’s training camp in 2024.
Carolina Panthers players who could be demoted during 2024 camp
Nick Thurman – Carolina Panthers DL
- Current status: DL No. 4
Derrick Brown, Shy Tuttle, and free-agent signing A’Shawn Robinson seem locked in as the team’s starting 3-4 defensive front heading into the season. Everything is up for grabs lower down the defensive line depth chart.
One could make a case for Nick Thurman being the tentative choice for No. 4 and primary backup heading into camp. The interior force caught the eye when called upon last season when most didn’t envisage any sort of role for the player. Dan Morgan rewarded him with another short-term extension, but the hard work is just getting started.
Thurman must solidify his chances by taking command when reps come his way over camp. Several others will be aiming for the same, so keeping the likes of LaBryan Ray, Popo Aumavae, T.J. Smith, Ulumoo Ale, and sixth-round pick Jaden Crumedy at arm’s length is a good place to start.
Anything less could see Thurman tumble down the depth chart. That represents a body blow considering how promising things appeared last season.
K’Lavon Chaisson – Carolina Panthers OLB
- Current status: OLB No. 3
Much has been made about the lack of edge rushing options available to the Carolina Panthers in 2024. They don’t have enough right now – that much is painfully obvious. Unless someone steps up and becomes a dependable depth piece behind the projected starting duo of Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero has a big problem on his hands.
K’Lavon Chaisson is sitting at No. 3 on the outside linebacker depth chart currently. That comes with its own set of concerns after the former first-round pick gained just five sacks in four seasons during an underwhelming stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Chaisson seems confident a change of scenery can be enough to galvanize his career. Big things were expected of the athletic pass-rusher after starring at LSU during their national championship triumph in 2019. He’s flattered to deceive since, but Carolina’s coaching staff believes he can be salvaged under their guidance.
That’s a best-case scenario for Chaisson. However, if someone else emerges from obscurity or the Panthers find another option with more accomplished production, it won’t take long for a demotion to arrive.
Nick Scott – Carolina Panthers S
- Current status: Safety No. 3
Ejiro Evero got the luxury of choosing players he’s worked with previously as part of his defensive strategy this offseason. The Panthers lost several established stars and transitioned their significant investment to the offense. Having some semblance of continuity with those who know his schematic demands was imperative to avoid unnecessary complications.
Nick Scott is one such figure. The safety is coming off a down year with the Cincinnati Bengals last time around, but Evero trusts him. He’s currently sitting behind Xavier Woods and Jordan Fuller – another offseason arrival with connections to the coach – at No. 3 on the safety depth chart. Whether he can hold onto this primary backup role is another matter.
Scott needs to show last season’s downturn in production was a blip rather than the start of anything more concerning. The likes of Sam Franklin Jr., Alex Cook, Jammie Robinson, and perhaps even undrafted free agent Demani Richardson will be looking to take his place, so nothing but a rousing effort over camp will do.
The former seventh-round selection out of Penn State has experience on his side. Hopefully, linking back up with Evero will be the making of him.
Adam Thielen – Carolina Panthers WR
- Current status: WR No. 3
Adam Thielen was the shining light in an otherwise underwhelming Carolina Panthers passing attack last season. The veteran wide receiver was the only one capable of providing assured separation and reliability. Bryce Young depended on him heavily throughout en route to his first 1,000-yard receiving campaign since 2018.
This is a major positive for Thiielen, but the Panthers couldn’t move forward similarly. They invested heavily in their wideout options this offseason, trading for Diontae Johnson and moving up one spot for Xavier Legette at No. 32 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. This demotes the former undrafted free agent out of Minnesota State to No. 3 on the depth chart, which isn’t a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination.
Thielen, who turns 34 years old shortly, will see his workload reduced. That’s almost a given after accumulating 137 targets during the previous campaign. His role is important, but the Panthers could easily decide to move forward with a younger group depending on what transpires over camp.
This scenario is dependent on Jonathan Mingo’s progress. If the Ole Miss product takes on improved coaching and benefits from better schematic concepts, Thielen might be No. 4 on the depth chart by the time Week 1 at the New Orleans Saints rolls around.
Miles Sanders – Carolina Panthers RB
- Current status: RB No. 2
Miles Sanders was fortunate to get a reprieve this offseason. Dan Morgan parted ways with several established veterans with no financial benefits attached in the short term. He could have easily disposed of the running back, but the new regime is giving him one final opportunity to prove his worth over camp.
Sanders was a big-money arrival last spring at a time when paying running backs wasn’t the trend around the NFL. He wanted to become a legitimate three-down threat the Panthers lacked after Christian McCaffrey’s departure via trade to the San Francisco 49ers. He failed to meet these lofty targets and eventually lost his No. 1 spot to Chuba Hubbard.
Dave Canales’ intent to run the football heavily might see Sanders gain a decent role for himself in 2024. He’s starting camp as the No. 2 running back, but that could change in the blink of an eye depending on how the former second-round pick fares.
The Panthers can activate Jonathon Brooks from the active/non-football injury list at any time. Raheem Blackshear and Rashaad Penny are also seeking prominent involvement, so the margin for error couldn’t be slimmer for Sanders in the coming weeks.
