With 2025 NFL training camps set to open, it's time to get up to speed on all 32 NFL teams. Michael Baca has the lowdown on position battles, key players and notable subplots across the NFC South.
Catch up on the Carolina Panthers' offseason developments and 2025 outlook below.
Training Camp Dates/Information
- Players report: July 21 (rookies); July 22 (veterans)
- Location: Bank of America Stadium | Charlotte, North Carolina (fan information)
Notable Roster Changes
| 2025 draft class | Selection |
|---|---|
| Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona | Round 1 (No. 8 overall) |
| Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M | Round 2 (No. 51) |
| Princley Umanmielen, Edge, Mississippi | Round 3 (No. 77) |
| Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia | Round 4 (No. 114) |
| Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State | Round 4 (No. 122) |
| Cam Jackson, DT, Florida | Round 5 (No. 140) |
| Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame | Round 5 (No. 163) |
| Jimmy Horn Jr., WR, Colorado | Round 6 (No. 208) |
Preseason Schedule
- Week 1: vs. Cleveland Browns | 7 p.m. ET (NFL Network) on Friday, Aug. 8
- Week 2: at Houston Texans | 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 16
- Week 3: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | 7 p.m. ET (NFL Network) on Thursday, Aug. 21
2025 Schedule Note
- The Panthers are one of just seven teams that do not have a Thursday game on their schedule. Their Monday night matchup with San Francisco in Week 12 is currently slated to be their only prime-time game of the 2025 regular season.
-- NFL Research
What You Need to Know
1) Bryce Young's growth in the last half of 2024 was the silver lining of yet another lost season in Carolina and furthering his development will be a primary focus over training camp. The Panthers helped that cause in April with the first-round selection of Tetairoa McMillan, who possesses the typical traits of a true No. 1 wide receiver and offers Young a rangy target as the quarterback enters Year 3. Establishing chemistry with McMillan is crucial for an immediate impact and having veteran Adam Thielen around figures to aid that process. Xavier Legette's development entering his second season is also essential to forming a dynamic group weapons for Young to utilize. Hunter Renfrow's comeback attempt in Carolina is another subplot to keep an eye on over the summer as the Panthers aim to build around their franchise quarterback.
2) Derrick Brown's return in 2025 won't be only thing to anticipate for the Panthers defense. Defensive linemen Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III are key free-agent additions joining Carolina's star defender and the initial gelling of this reimagined defensive front is worth monitoring. The Panthers lacked any push without Brown, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1, and their run-stopping troubles spiraled into last season's 32nd-ranked defense. A turnaround up front could do wonders for a unit with a talented secondary headed by Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson. The Panthers also added pass rusher Patrick Jones II and safety Tre'von Moehrig via free agency. Rookies Nic Scourton and Lathan Ransom are also in the mix for playing time.
3) Kickoff and punt returns might bring some added excitement along Carolina's preseason. Both primary roles are up for grabs this summer and a pair of rookies -- WR Jimmy Horn Jr. and running back Trevor Etienne -- are expected to compete for both jobs. The pairing is small in size but brings plenty of speed and shiftiness to a club that has produced just one touchdown return since 2018. The Panthers' oncoming work on special teams doesn't stop with figuring out the returners either, with new kickers Matthew Wright and Ryan Fitzgeraldbattling for the starting role and new punter Sam Martin holding for longtime long snapper J.J. Jansen.
