Locked On Panthers

The Carolina Panthers are one week away from the start of Training Camp. Once Training Camp opens in Uptown Charlotte to focus will be squarely on Dave Canales and the Panthers new look offense. In particular, Bryce Young and the rebuilt offensive line. But those aren't the only positions that will need attention over the next month. Julian Council discusses which position groups need to take the biggest steps forward in 2024?The Panthers welcomed new names across the roster this offseason. Which position group is likely to see the most improvement due to the offseason additions?San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk requested a trade on Tuesday afternoon. Following a year where the Panthers boasted the worst WR room in the NFL, should the team be interested in a deal for the All-Pro wideout? Does the reported compensation for Aiyuk make sense for Carolina? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!LinkedInLinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at L

The Carolina Panthers defense went through an overhaul this offseason. Gone are Brian Burns, Frankie Luvu, Donte Jackson and Jeremy Chinn. In are Jadeveon Clowney, Josey Jewell, Dane Jackson, and Jordan Fuller. How will the Panthers be able to replace the departed players and how will Ejiro Evero's new look defense perform in 2024?There major questions surround the Panthers defense heading into 2024. First off, will the Panthers, who ranked last in the NFL in sacks in 2023, be able to put together a better pass rush with the departure of Burns? Second, will the Panthers, who ranked 31st according to EPA against the run, be able to hold up at the line of scrimmage defensively? Lastly, is there enough talent in the cornerback room after the exits of Donte Jackson and CJ Henderson?What are fair expectations for the Panthers defense in 2024? The 2023 unit was riddled by injuries, will better injury luck vault this defense into the NFL's top tier?Julian Council takes a look at the state of the Carolina Panthers de

The start of the 2024 NFL season will introduce a massive change to the league kickoff rules. In an effort to address the lowest kickoff return rate in NFL history during the 2023 season and an unacceptable injury rate on kickoffs prior to that, the NFL completely revamped the leagues kickoff rules. The league believes that the new rule will keep the excitement of kickoff returns in the game, while returning the injury rate closer to that of a traditional scrimmage play. How will the Carolina Panthers approach the new rule?With the new kickoff rule put into effect, there's now a premium on having impact kick returns. Will rookie Xavier Legette be able to make an impact as a returner this season?In a surprising move, Panthers kicker Eddy Pineiro skipped out on the voluntary portion of the offseason. While Pineiro was present for mandatory minicamp, he was unwilling to share why he decided to skip OTAs. Pineiro's absence has been widely credited to his desire to sign a contract that matches his production as on

In a surprise move this offseason, the Carolina Panthers parted ways with starting safety Vonn Bell after he only one season spent in Carolina. The Panthers quickly went to work to find Bell's replacement by signing a pair of former Los Angeles Rams safeties, Jordan Fuller and Nick Scott, who were familiar with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero's scheme. What impact will the two newcomers make in Carolina this fall?Xavier Woods battled injuries last season but graded out as one of the top safeties in the NFL in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus. With the departure of several key defensive players this offseason, does Woods step into the role as one of the units leaders?It's been a theme this offseason for former players who've played under Evero to sign in Carolina. One of other remains a free agent as former Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons is still unsigned. Might the Panthers look to add Simmons ahead of Training Camp beginning?Plus, how many safeties will the Panthers keep on the roster in 2024?Ju

The first three years of Jaycee Horn's NFL career haven't gone according to plan. Horn has dealt with a series of injury misfortune, which has caused him to miss 29 games through those three seasons. It's undeniable that when Horn plays he's among the top cornerbacks in the NFL. The only issue has been Horn's availability. The Panthers showed their belief in Horn by exercising his fifth-year option back in April. Will Horn reward the Panthers faith in him and finally turn in a fully healthy season?Outside of Horn's availability, there are plenty of questions surrounding the Panthers cornerback room. Dane Jackson signed in free agency from Buffalo to compete for the other outside cornerback job, while Troy Hill returns after turning in a solid season for Carolina last fall. Aside from those two, the Panthers have little depth. Will this unit be able to overcome the lack of depth?Last year, the Panthers kept four corners on the active roster once the roster was cutdown to 53 men. How many will they keep this ye

2024 will mark Year 10 for Shaq Thompson. Thompson has spent all nine of his previous season with the Carolina Panthers. Having waited behind Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly before taking over as a starter in 2019. Since then, Thompson has been one of the defensive leaders and is one of the few players remaining from the Panthers magical 2015 season. But will 2024 be the final year for Shaq as he's set to be a free agent in 2025?Gone is Frankie Luve. Enter Josey Jewell. Jewell will have the unenviable tasks to replace Luvu, who departed in free agent, signing with Washington. Aiding Jewell's transition to Carolina is his experience in defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero's scheme, having spent the 2022 season playing for Evero in Denver. Behind Thompson and Jewell, the Panthers have a handful of special teams aces who will all be vying for one of the final roster spots on the team. How many linebackers will Evero and special teams coordinators Tracy Smith and Darren Bates opt to keep?Julian Council continues is po

After spending ten years in the NFL, Jadeveon Clowney is finally back home in the Carolina's. Clowney signed a two-year, $20 million max deal to return to Charlotte to play for the Carolina Panthers in 2024 and 2025. Clowney's return home coincides with Brian Burns departure from Carolina. Can Clowney prove to be a suitable replacement for Burns and put in his first Pro Bowl season since 2018?Outside of Clowney, the rest of the Panthers edge rusher groups presents serious questions heading into 2024. D.J. Wonnum signed with Carolina during the early days of free agency but was unable to participate during the offseason program as he continued to recover from a partially torn quad. The Panthers traded up into the 3rd round of the 2023 NFL Draft to select DJ Johnson but Johnson's rookie season yielding middling results including zero sacks. Last season, Carolina kept six edge rushers on the initial 53-man roster. One of those player was Amare Barno, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in Week 16 vs Green

2023 was a tough season for the Carolina Panthers but individually, for Derrick Brown, it was his best to date. During the 2023 season, Brown crossed the 100 tackle threshold setting the NFL record for the most tackles by a defensive lineman in a single-season. Those numbers earned Brown an invite to his first Pro Bowl along with a four-year, $96 million contract extension. How will Brown follow up his record-setting season?Outside of Derrick Brown, the Panthers defensive line struggled to stop the run. Overall, the Panthers ranked 31st against the run according to Expected Points Added, or EPA. To help fix that problem, Carolina signed run-stopper A'Shawn Robinson. The addition of Robinson won't be enough, as Shy Tuttle will need to bounce back in the second-year of his contract in Carolina. How many defensive lineman will the Panthers keep? The entire Panthers defensive staff returned this offseason. How will Ejiro Evero and his staff being retained impact the numbers at the position. Julian Council begins

Have the Carolina Panthers done enough to help Bryce Young? After a year where the Panthers saddled Young with one of the worst group of skill position players, and were met with a plethora of injuries on the offensive line, Panthers GM Dan Morgan needed to do right by the team's hopeful franchise QB. Since taking over the job, Morgan has hired Dave Canales, who is credited for turning around Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield's careers. Morgan also sured up the interior of the offensive line by paying a premium for free agent guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis. Morgan made a shrewd trade by sending Donte Jackson to Pittsburgh in exchange for Pro Bowl WR Diontae Johnson. And, finally, Morgan added three more offensive skill players in the 2024 NFL Draft. Has Morgan done enough to surround Young with the necessary talent for him to succeed in 2024?There are three lingering questions for the Panthers offense heading into 2024. 1) How successful will Dave Canales rushing attack be 2) Who outside of Adam Thielen and

The injury bug hit no position harder than it did the Carolina Panthers interior offensive line in 2023. The Panthers played seven different left guards and eight different right guards thanks in large part to the injuries to returning starters Austin Corbett and Brady Christensen. Corbett and Christensen played nearly every snap during the 2022 season but weren't on the field for a single play together last fall. The pair combined to play in only five games. Each will have a different role this fall, as Austin Corbett is prepared to make the transition to center. While Corbett has never played a single snap at center in the NFL, could he prove to be the long-awaited answer at the position?While Corbett will be starting at center, Christensen is set to back him up at the position and be the primary back up at guard. The Panthers spent $153 million in free agency to sure up the starting guard spots by signing Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis. Considering the investment made, are Hunt and Lewis the keys to the offe

After a promising rookie season playing for his hometown team, Ickey Ekwonu regressed at left tackle for the Carolina Panthers in 2023. Ekwonu went 10 weeks during his rookie campaign without giving up a sack. In 2023, Ekwonu nearly doubled his rookie sack total by allowing 11 last season. Despite his sophomore slump, Panthers GM Dan Morgan opted to stick with Ekwonu once again at left tackle in 2024. Can Ickey reestablish himself as the Panthers franchise left tackle and consistently protect Bryce Young's blindside?Taylor Moton has been the model of consistency for the Panthers the past six years. Moton carries an ironman streak of 115 consecutive games played into the 2024 season. Despite Moton's consistent play, he's never earned Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors. Will 2024 be the first time he's recognized by the NFL media?The Panthers lived dangerously last year as the team didn't have a veteran tackle to backup Moton and Ekwonu. This year, the team will have former Packers swing tackle Yosh Nijman to handle th

Since Greg Olsen left the Carolina Panthers, following the 2019 season, the organization has posted the lowest numbers from the tight end position. Ian Thomas was originally thought to be a suitable replacement for Olsen, but he has failed to live up to those expectations after six years of service. Tommy Tremble has shown promise but questions remain whether he can be a mid-tier pass catcher at the tight end position in the NFL. Just last year, the Panthers signed Hayden Hurst to a free agent deal but a combination of injuries and low production led Hurst to be a one-and-done in Carolina. Despite having a major need at the position during free agency, the Panthers didn't address the hole at tight end until the 2024 NFL Draft, where the team selected Texas tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders. Sanders comes to Carolina with the reputation of being a playmaker in the pass game at the position. Will Sanders finally prove to be the replacement for Greg Olsen? How does the rest of the TE room shape up with the addition of

Following a disastrous 2023 season, the Carolina Panthers were in desperate need of playmakers at the wide receiver position. Panthers GM Dan Morgan made his first trade in the position by sending Donte Jackson and a sixth-round pick to Pittsburgh for Diontae Johnson and a seventh-round pick. By completing that trade, Morgan brought in a player to Carolina in exchange for a player the team was planning to cut. The Panthers also received a player who is expected to be their X receiver and Bryce Young's first read. Julian Council discusses whether Diontae Johnson can fulfill the role as WR1. Julian also takes a look at the WR depth chart. How big of a role will Xavier Legette play during his rookie season? What should the expectations for Adam Thielen be following a late-career renaissance in 2023? Has time already run out for Jonathan Mingo?Last year, under Frank Reich, the Panthers kept seven receivers on their initial 53-man roster. How many receivers will Dave Canales keep?Support Us By Supporting Our Spons

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales has said on multiple occasions that he plans to be "stubborn" about running the football in 2024. That should spell good news for fourth-year running back Chuba Hubbard as he heads into Training Camp atop of the depth chart. Julian Council explains why 2024 could be a breakout season for Hubbard in Canales' run-first offense. Hubbard will be joined in the backfield by second-round draft pick Jonathon Brooks, who is currently rehabbing from a torn ACL. What will Brooks' role be once he is healthy? Miles Sanders returns for a second season in Carolina following a disappointing debut campaign. With the ascension of Hubbard and arrival of Brooks, where does Sanders land in the pecking order?Last year in Tampa Bay, Canales' Buccaneers offense kept four running backs on the roster following the initial roster cutdown. The same for the Seattle Seahawks, where a plethora of Canales staff came from this offseason. Should the expectation be that the Panthers keep four backs on

The Carolina Panthers 2023 season was all about the development of their rookie QB Bryce Young. Due to the poor job Frank Reich and is coaching staff did in developing Young, the Panthers 2024 season will once again be about Bryce Young's development, but more so finding out whether Dave Canales is the right man for that job. Can Canales save Young? Julian Council looks back at Young's rookie season and the job Canales has done with Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield the past two seasons. Andy Dalton returns as the Panthers backup QB. If Young struggles in 2024, will Dalton play a bigger role than he did last season? For now, undrafted free agent QB Jack Plummer sits in the QB3 spot. While Canales has expressed interest in adding a veteran in that emergency QB role, will Plummer be able to hold on to the role? Should the Panthers use a roster spot to carry a third QB? Julian begins his annual position breakdowns by looking at everything about the Panthers QB room.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!eBay MotorsFo

Now that the Carolina Panthers are off to summer break, Julian Council answers listener questions to take the pulse of the fan base as we begin to countdown the days to Training Camp. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!eBay MotorsFor parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotors.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms Apply.FanDuelFanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. Right now, NEW customers get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR BET. That’sTWO HUNDRED BUCKS you can use to bet everything from the Finals MVP to who's going to hit one out of the park!Visit FANDUEL.COM/LOCKEDONand add a big win to your summer bucket list! FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwit

The Carolina Panthers conclude a two-day mandatory minicamp on Wednesday afternoon. The team will now take the next six weeks off before returning for Training Camp ahead of the 2024 regular season. Panthers head coach Dave Canales, edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, quarterback Bryce Young, and linebacker Shaq Thompson addressed the media following minicamp practice. Julian Council provides one thing that stood out to him during their availabilities. After skipping out on the voluntary portion of the offseason, Panthers kicker Eddy Pineiro was present for both days of the minicamp. Pineiro didn't kick on Tuesday but was a part of team special teams drills on Wednesday. During his session with the local media, Pineiro declined to answer questions about why he wasn't in town for OTAs and his contract situation. Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson is also another player who could be in for a new deal. Julian breaks down each of their situations heading into the summer break. Panthers players will get a little bit

The Carolina Panthers will wrap up their offseason program this week with a three day mandatory minicamp. Heading into minicamp there still remain a few unanswered questions as several players have been absent during the voluntary portion of the offseason. Julian Council discusses what questions he wants answered this week. Minicamp will offer Dave Canales and his staff one last look at the roster before heading off for a six-week summer break ahead of training camp in Charlotte. Julian discusses what he'd like to see out of Panthers minicamp. Plus, the Panthers have been on the hunt for playmakers all offseason and they'll bring in another for a workout this week. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!eBay MotorsFor parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotors.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code L

Through the past seven years, the Carolina Panthers have developed a culture of losing. Is this due in part to the temperament of the recent Panthers coaches. Matt Rhule and Frank Reich are both seen to be "nice guys" but were they too nice to get through to the players and lead this team to long-term success. Now that Dave Canales has arrived, is he just another "nice guy" or will Canales be able to buck whatever perceived trend there is in Carolina and finally win big?Julian Council answers this question among other listener questions in this week's edition of the Weekly Friday Mailbag.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!BetterHelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDON today to get 10% off your first month.eBay MotorsFor parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotors.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only.

The Carolina Panthers will wrap up OTAs on Thursday afternoon. Next week, the team will hold a mandatory minicamp prior to the taking a six week summer break ahead of training camp. Panthers head coach Dave Canales met with the media on Tuesday to provide updates on where the team is at as OTA conclude. Julian provides his takeaways from what Canales had to say. On Tuesday, the Panthers released episode one of the Blueprint, detailing the team's offseason. Julian reveals what stood out to him.The Panthers preseason schedule is finally out. Julian goes through the three game slate. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!BetterHelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDON today to get 10% off your first month.eBay MotorsFor parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotors.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclus