The offseason is over for Bryce Young and company as the Panthers hope to carry late-season momentum into the team’s first playoff berth in nearly a decade.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. β Veterans reported to Carolina Panthers training camp on Tuesday, signaling the end of the offseason and the beginning of the 2025 NFL campaign.Β
All eyes are on quarterback Bryce Young, who appeared to make significant progress at the end of his sophomore season after being benched for Andy Dalton last fall. Fans are also excited to see rookies Tetairoa McMillan and Nic Scourton in action.Β
Morgan says Panthers will ‘have to earn’ playoff spot
General manager Dan Morgan opened his annual news conference by updating the team’s goals. He said the Panthers entered last offseason with a plan to make the team more dynamic with the ability to tackle any challenges in 2025 and beyond.Β
Morgan didn’t mention the playoffs specifically, but reiterated that if Carolina takes care of its business, the rest will “take care of themselves.”Β
“Everything that comes to us this year, we have to earn it,” Morgan said.Β
Morgan also complimented Bryce Young, saying the third-year QB has become a leader for the Panthers. Young closed the season on a tear, finishing with three consecutive multi-touchdown games, including a 251-yard, 5-total-touchdown performance against the Falcons in the finale.Β
‘Talented as hell’
Pro Bowl offensive lineman Robert Hunt was also effusive in his praise for Young, telling reporters the former Heisman winner and No. 1 overall pick is “talented as hell.” Hunt explained how he noticed a difference in Young’s confidence and body language as the team’s leader last fall.Β
Now, it’s a matter of the entire roster putting the pieces together to end the NFL’s second-longest playoff drought. Carolina last made the playoffs in 2017, something Hunt said is unacceptable.Β
“The city wants greatness,” Hunt said, telling reporters you could feel it last season with how well the team started playing.Β
Nic Scourton: Part-time football player, full-time cat dad
Second-round pick Nic Scourton, who recently agreed to terms on his rookie contract, also talked with reporters on Tuesday.Β
Scourton said he spent the entire offseason in Charlotte and loves the Queen City. More importantly, he has a pet Maine Coon cat that he walks on a leash. The things you learn during training camp!Β
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