Tuesday morning the Carolina Panthers reported to Bank of America Stadium for the team’s 2025 training camp. The vibes were high on Mint Street as the Panthers look to build on last year’s 5-12 record under 2nd year head coach Dave Canales.
Here are the headlines from arrival day.
Linebacker Released
The team announced Tuesday afternoon the release of linebacker Josey Jewell. Jewell, who suffered a concussion last season in week 16, continues to experience symptoms. According to a team spokesperson, Jewell wanted to focus on his health in hopes that he could return to the field in the future.
Josey’s departure raises more questions for a linebacker unit that is widely considered one of the weaker position groups on the team. Free agency addition Christian Rozeboom, who played in 17 games for the Rams last season, and second year player Trevin Wallace will likely open camp as starters at the inside linebacker position. I expect general manager Dan Morgan will look to add talent to that room as camp progresses.
Season Goals
During his arrival day press conference General Manager Dan Morgan listed the team’s four goals for the season: improve consistency, develop young core, have the veterans lead the way and compete every week with a relentless, team-first mindset.
Like last season, Morgan steered clear of setting any lofty expectations.
“We just want to get better every single day, bring a mindset every single day and start back at zero every single day. I think that’s the mindset we have to have – myself and Dave (Canales) as the leadership – but I also think our players need to do that too. We’ve got to earn everything. You can talk all you want, but we’ve got to go earn it and it starts out there on the football field tomorrow.”
Vibe Check
Things are different for offensive lineman Robert Hunt as he heads into his second year in Carolina. The Pro Bowl guard admitted that there was a lot of uncertainty coming into last season. Like many in the building he wasn’t familiar with the team or city, but it’s different this year
“You can feel it,” Hunt said when asked about the mood around the facility. “This city has a lot of hope. They want winners and you can feel it once it’s kinda close. We won five games last year, which is not great by any means, but it felt like we were doing something great because the city is looking for it. That vibe feels great. The team vibe feels great.”
Weigh-In
2025 second-round draft pick Nic Scourton is recently signed and ready to get to work at a new weight. The outside linebacker out of Texas A&M played at 285 last season, and was a leaner 257 at the NFL Combine where he ran the 40 yard dash in 4.7 seconds. As he enters his first training camp as a professional Scourton says he has hit his sweet spot.
“I dropped weight, because everyone looked at me as a tweener. I was light in OTA’s and I liked that. I felt more explosive. The offseason I wanted to put on little more pounds. I’m at 265 right now and I think this is the perfect weight to balance pass rush, defending the run and being physical.”
Notes:
- Dan Morgan says defensive tackle Derrick Brown has been cleared for activities. Brown suffered a meniscus injury in his knee during last year’s.
- The Panthers signed tight end Tyler Mabry. Mabry has been with the Seahawks since 2020.
- The Panthers placed defensive tackle Bobby Brown III on the active/non-football injury list. He can be activated at any time during camp.
- Tight end Tommy Tremble and wide receiver Dan Chisena were placed on the active/physically unable to perform list, and punter Sam Martin on the active/non-football injury list. They can be activated from either list at any time during camp.
