CHARLOTTE — You could just tell, people at the league meetings last week in Phoenix were starting to look at the Panthers a little bit differently.
Winning a division title and hosting a playoff game will do that for you, but there's a tangible confidence about them as they continue to build (from two wins to five to eight), and they're getting the sense people are taking them more seriously.
"Coming here, even in my first year, we're just kind of the lowly Panthers," general manager Dan Morgan said during his appearance on Up and Adams with Kay Adams. "You feel there's not a lot of respect for us. So I kind of feel that respect growing.
"We really care about what we think in the building. We really don't care what anybody else thinks. At the same time, you can kind of feel the perception towards the franchise. You definitely feel that shifting to where people are starting to take notice. Starting to gain respect, and we've got to go out and earn that."
Again, that only lasts as long as the results are there, and as executive vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis said recently, the Panthers are somewhere between building and contending.
But you can tell people are looking at them a little differently.
"Getting better there," a high-ranking executive at another team said as we passed in a hallway, one of many such greetings when the league convened last week at the Arizona Biltmore resort.
It's not just that head coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan look like the tandem most likely to suit up and play in a game on Sunday. Canales gave the game away during an appearance on Good Morning Football, saying there was strategy about where you stand in the group pictures (he's fit anyway, being next to Pittsburgh's Mike McCarthy accentuates it). And that's just surface-level stuff, but it does play a role.
When free agent linebacker Devin Lloyd came in to sign his contract, Morgan dapped him up and said, 'What's up, bro?' and it very much looked like the start of a position meeting rather than a boss-employee welcome.
"He's in great shape," Lloyd said of Morgan, the guy who used to play the position he's charged with now. "You can tell he works out very often and takes pride in keeping his physical health up, which is great. Same thing with coach Canales too. Guys, staying in great shape, caring about their body and their health, so it's a great thing.
"It's just a mutual respect, honestly. You could tell, guys who take care of themselves, try everything in their power to do things the right way in all facets of life, just a certain presence that you can definitely tell and respect."
Respect can be fleeting in the NFL, it only last as long as the results do. But you could sense it was growing for the Panthers. People are starting to notice again. That makes the shoulders go back and the chest stick out. But it also makes the hard work even harder.
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Has it hit you? You know, the who should we pick bug? I have changed my first-round mindset to D-line. Lee Hunter or Kayden McDonald to go with last year's Cam Jackson, all to be taught by the best in the league, Derrick Brown and his pal Tershawn Wharton. And then in the third round, get Dontay Corleone out of Cincinnati, who at 6-1, 335 would be like blocking a turtle. LET THEM DOGS LOOSE! — Westray, Kershaw, SC
Blocking a turtle. You paint a real word picture there, Westray. Respect.
Defensive line is absolutely a need, if only for a numbers standpoint.
The Panthers have exactly six of them under contract at the moment, which is three or four short of what they want to take to training camp. So they're absolutely going to add there, it's just a matter of when.
There are a few things that are clear in the wake of the cap-driven release of veteran A'Shawn Robinson, who signed with the Buccaneers shortly thereafter.
One, Derrick Brown remains the focal point and one of the best in the league.
Two, they're going to need more from Wharton and Bobby Brown III this year.
Three, Cam Jackson's gone from a developmental player to a need, and it's reasonable to assume that has been explained clearly to him. With his size, he's got the ability to be a factor if he continues to improve.
They also have LaBryan Ray and Jared Harrison-Hunte on the roster. Ray is the ultimate survivor, making the team as a mid-training camp workout guy in 2023 (meaning every team had 90 on their rosters at the start of camp, and none of those 2,880 employed football players at the time were him) and playing 46 NFL games since then. No one ever includes him in these calculations, but he's been a useful part, a strong and heavy-handed dude who is good against the run. Put some respect on LaBryan Ray's name (the fact he still has the Nissan Altima he drove in high school is also cause to put respect on his name, because financial discipline is praise-worthy).
But it's clear they're going to bring in more big bodies. I won't pretend to know a lot about Corleone, but he'd walk in the door with a ready-made nickname. This is a position that they'll have to address in bulk, literally.
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Hey Darin! Noah, the 18-year-old, is back with another submission. Now, recently, I was bored in study hall (passing all my classes "yawn and flex"), so I decided to do a mock draft for the Panthers this year, and here's who I thought would be perfect for the Carolina culture:
R1 P19: Vega Ioane (OL, Penn State) Perfect Austin Corbett replacement
R2 P51: Eli Stowers (TE, Vandy) Personally, I LOVE this guy
R3 P83: Mike Washington Jr (RB, Arkansas) Chuba Hubbard's new best friend (yes, I miss Rico Dowdle)
R4 P119: Jake Slaughter (C, Florida) Cade Mays replacement and really sweet name
R5 P158: Harold Perkins Jr (LB, LSU) The fact this man slides this far is a blessing
R5 P159: Zane Durant (DL, Penn State) Love the physicality this guy brings and would line up next to Derrick Brown
R6 P200: Eric McCallister (WR, TCU) Love this guy as a potential WR3 under Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. — Noah, Youngstown, OH
OK, first things first, Noah. Passing all your classes in high school is not enough. Set your goals higher. The Mailbag is self-selecting; only the best and brightest come here. This is no entry-level 'Bag, where every social media Tom, Dick, and Harry are admitted. Effort is required and rewarded. So until those are honor-roll grades, no yawning and flexing, don't make me sic area high-achiever Zach on you. Go read a book, and if I catch you using AI, you might be banned.
Secondly, the idea of offensive line in the first round might seem like overkill, especially after Panthers head coach Dave Canales said at the league meetings, "I don't really believe in drafting for depth."
That seems counterintuitive to Noah's position because the starting offensive line is set.
But looking more closely with an eye to the future, you understand why this could make sense.
Left tackles Ikem Ekwonu and Rasheed Walker are both in contract years, and Ekwonu is coming off a torn patellar tendon.
Pro Bowl guard Robert Hunt is at the top of his game, but he turns 30 near the end of the preseason. Left guard Damien Lewis just turned 29. Right tackle Taylor Moton's contract runs through 2027, but he'll turn 32 during training camp. All three of those guys are playing well enough to make it reasonable that they can continue, but they're all closer to the late stages of their careers than the beginnings. So layering in younger players is a necessity.
So if the first round pick is a pure guard, it might be considered a luxury pick now, but it wouldn't in 2028. If it's a multi-position guy like Spencer Fano, he could be the competition Canales mentioned for center Luke Fortner There are a lot of ways this could go.
But mostly Noah, aim a little higher. Passing is never enough, and meeting expectations is the bare minimum around here, not something to pat yourself on the back for.
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Good Morning! It's been a minute. I've been busy being an old man in the school musical for the fourth straight year. It's probably because I know a thing or two about how old guys act, thanks to you.
Would the Panthers ever consider moving Xavier Legette to the tight end spot? — Zach, Charlotte
See, Noah, this is what I'm talking about. Zach's out here stepping outside his comfort zone and performing in theater for the fourth year, while operating a Substack newsletter on the side. That's a flex.
But Zach's role-model for youth status aside, the idea of turning a guy from one thing into another isn't really the kind of thing that happens a lot in the NFL. I mean, sometimes old cornerbacks become safeties, but usually you are what you are.
And Legette's a 25-year-old wide receiver, who's built like DK Metcalf, and is still learning.
He's also apparently out in California working out with Bryce Young, McMillan, and Jimmy Horn Jr., which is a good thing to do.
The work ethic has never been a question for Legette, but he obviously needs to become more detailed in what he's doing. With McMillan and Coker, they can line up and start a game. But giving up on a guy with Legette's physical gifts seems a waste, and changing positions just doesn't work terribly often. I think the thing to do is continue to work, which is kind of what I told your young friend Noah up there. So while the lesson applies to both of you, the point here is GET BACK TO CLASS, ZACH.
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The 2026 draft is right around the corner, which means I'm thinking what we're all thinking: we need another wide receiver. Only problem? Carolina has TEN on the roster currently. Good news is, I was able to find a way to move a couple of guys if you can pitch my ideas in the questions below to the coaching staff.
First, I really like David Moore, but his re-signing was a bit of a head-scratcher to me. I appreciate depth, special teams utility, and familiarity as much as the next old guy, but Moore doesn't need to be on the roster to provide his best trait. Would Moore be open to a spot on the coaching staff instead? That way, you get to keep the veteran leadership around without using a roster spot. Plus, he and Canales can still hang.
Second, I've seen a lot of mock drafts where the Panthers take Kenyon Sadiq at No. 19. Seems redundant. Other than about a 15-pound weight difference, they already have a guy on the roster with most of Sadiq's skill set that they haven't been able to figure out what to do with yet. 6-3? Check. A 4.39 forty time? Check. Jacked? Check. Do you think Canales and Brad Idzik might consider shifting XL to more of a hybrid-TE role? We are short in the play-making TE department as well, so this seems like a way to kill two birds and free up the 19th pick.
P.S. - How many raccoons would Legette need to eat to fill said weight discrepancy? — Jake, Candler, NC
First off, raccoons are kind of fatty and greasy when you cook them, so not an ideal protein for gaining good weight. Also, that's a thing I knew before I met XL, because when you grow up in Suburban Hickory, you are exposed to meats that you just can't purchase at a Harris Teeter. (Also, I need to talk to somebody over there, because the last time I was looking for liver mush, the meat counter manager said it was discontinued. This aggression will not stand.)
Secondly, I will believe that Dave Canales is coaching an NFL roster without David Moore on it as soon as I see it. Moore is a trusted agent, an instiller of culture, a model of how to work and study, and is pretty good at playing. He's not a regular, but he's a guy who consistently makes plays. And guys who have played don't always want to coach, because coaching doesn't pay as well as playing, takes a long time, and David Moore's got a herd of cows to think about.
Thirdly, again, tight ends are usually tight ends, and receivers are receivers. Trying to turn a guy from one thing to another is usually the last attempt to extract value from a guy you've invested in, right before they go elsewhere.
Fourthly, we need to all free our minds from positional need when it comes to the draft. If I've said it once, I've said it hundreds of times: The Panthers had a Dan Morgan when they drafted Jon Beason, and they had a Jon Beason when they drafted Luke Kuechly. That's how you get good and stay that way.
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First off, I want to thank you for the strong suggestion. I tried the Bojangler on a biscuit, and you are right, that certainly improved an already delicious sandwich. Now to the question. I saw with great sadness that we had let Buffalo get Austin Corbett from us. I had hoped that we would be able to keep him and Brady Christensen due to their both being able to play multiple positions on the O-line. I haven't heard anything about Christensen and am hoping that I just missed that we had re-signed him. So, what is Christensen's status? — Eric, Rutherfordton, NC
Eric, thank you for your contribution, because it encouraged me to go get what is likely my last Bojangler of the season today. I was prepared for the disappointment of leaving the drive-through with nothing, because nothing compares. I've made that lonely and hungry drive home as soon as Palm Sunday in the past, so I am filled with gratitude that today was a Good Friday, indeed. (And if you don't know, or live in the uncivilized lands, the Bojangler is Bojangles' seasonal fish sandwich, only available during Lent. Like the McRib, its scarcity is what makes it special. And the biscuit levels it up.)
Christensen is also special, and in a special situation.
He remains unsigned as a free agent, meaning he's available to anyone. (The full free agency tracker is here.) But the league also knows that after tearing an Achilles tendon in midseason, it's going to be a minute before he's ready to play.
When I last talked to Brady, in mid-March before the start of the league year, he said he'd likely be ready to begin in July, around the time training camp starts. So that takes away some of the urgency of doing a deal now, here, or elsewhere. He's still in the area, rehabbing with trusted local experts, as he continues to work his way back.
The fact that Christensen can and has started at all five positions in the NFL makes him valuable indeed, because in a world without Corbett (Buffalo, and after talking to them last week, the Bills are glad to have him) and Yosh Nijman (retired), they're not as deep in known commodities as they were last season. So that would help, since as we've learned here in the last five years or so, offensive line depth is important.
But there's still time to do it, and they know him and his value well.
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Hi Darin - First time 'caller' but long time 'listener.' I've been a Panthers fan since the team was announced - not like some of the folks who grew up around here rooting for other teams and stayed loyal to those teams (apologies for throwing shade). As soon as Charlotte received a franchise, I was 100 percent in. I've also raised my son to be a Panthers fan and he is DIE HARD. Last year we traveled to Green Bay, San Fran, and Jacksonville to watch our Panthers (we're on a quest to see all of the stadiums) and were, of course, at all of the home games. My question is this. We already have our tickets for Luuuuuke's induction ceremony. Are there any events planned for Panthers fans who show up that we can attend? Also, get back to class, Zach! — Derek, Weddington, NC
Derek made quite a debut here. I look forward to his future contributions. Not only does he know our running jokes, he knows that the secret to my heart is the communal experience, the importance of time spent that transcends the games themselves. Guessing you and your son will remember the trips to those places longer than you remember the particulars of the football.
We will have more to come on future plans, but there will be opportunities to congregate in Canton for sure.
As I mentioned to Susan the other week, the parade in historic downtown Canton is one of the most quaint things I've ever witnessed. Just Hall of Famers riding around in the backs of convertibles like a Union County Commissioner on the Fourth of July, with high school marching bands and the whole nine yards. It's honest and pure and good, like Luke himself.
Stay tuned for more, and as always, all of your Luke Kuechly content can be found here (and we'll be adding to it soon).
(Also, my sources tell me there's a fresh episode of the JJ and Luke podcast coming next week.)
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Last year, I found myself a little frustrated at Jimmy Horn Jr.'s usage in our offense. His snaps were limited, which is completely understandable given the quality of other guys in the WR room, but I feel like most of the opportunities he did get involved him in pre-snap jet motions behind the line of scrimmage. This felt a bit like a waste to me. Sure, there's value to using his speed to spread defenses horizontally, but I feel like vertical field-stretching would be much more valuable for us with our other WRs being "fast-but-not-true-speed-demon" types.
My feelings were only validated the other day when I was watching highlights from the playoff game against the Rams. On re-watch, I noticed the big 50-ish yard catch-and-run by Jalen Coker at the end of the third quarter was completely set up by Jimmy Horn Jr. He was in the slot next to Jalen on that one and his speed screaming down the seam occupied both his corner and, more importantly, the safety which opened up the entire field for the Coke-man to run free.
My two cents (for what little it's worth): I think we should specialize JHJ, use his most dangerous asset, and stick him in the slot and just terrorize safeties about 7-10 times/game - heavy diet of slot fades, skinny posts, and wheel routes for 1-5. I really think that would open up our offense like crazy. Let the young fella eat down the field.
Now I know there's a TON of time (and moving parts) between now and the start of next season, but have you gotten any indication that they'll look to get Jimmy more involved downfield in the offense under Brad Idzik next season? — Alex, Charlotte
Jimmy walked in with more name recognition than the average sixth-round rookie, and I think that caused people to forget that he was a sixth-round rookie.
It took him a minute to learn how to NFL, and after he got a month and a half or so under his belt, they decided to activate him instead of Hunter Renfrow. And as he got actual game time, you saw bits and pieces.
But the NFL is generally a meritocracy, so reps and chances go to people who deserve them. And he got more and more looks as the season went on. I think your point is valid in that he could add to his repertoire, but part of that is on him, too.
The fact that he's also out there working out with Young, McMillan, and Legette is evidence that he's willing to put in the time.
I think as Brad Idzik, Darrell Bevell, and Canales continue to tweak what they want to do with the offense, they'll continue to adapt. And Horn's speed is certainly something they might want to add to the mix.
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Hey Darin, want to start off by saying, three years ago, when Dan Morgan and Dave Canales came on board, I knew it was the start of something exciting. These are the improvements I thought would happen. After their first season, I stated that in 2025, they would make at least a wild card with the improvements they have made. I also stated that for 2026, as I stole a quote from the Field of Dreams movie, "build, and they will come." That the NFL players would see what we were building, and they would start wanting to play for us. It's been a long, hard uphill battle to get back to where we were before. Rome wasn't built in a day. The damages the past GMs had done wasn't gonna be fixed overnight. I think we're finally back on even footing again. I think the big names are going to be intrigued to become part of the culture that the team has built. I think between FA, re-signing of players, and our draft choices. This year I feel we'll be back on top again. I think the Panthers are actually starting to get respect back again slowly, but surely, and I then said in 2026 we would be contenders again. Thank the Carolina Panthers for all they do for us. I've been a diehard fan since day one, and I will be a diehard fan until there are no more Panthers.
So after this long narrative, I'll get you my question. Do you think the Carolina Panthers will finally get the respect from the NFL that they deserve after the last couple of years, our FA choice this year, and draft picks? Also, do you think they'll extend Bryce? Some people were saying he's done enough and for him to keep showing what he has, and others are saying the ship has sailed. I think there's a chance that we get a QB in one of our late-round draft picks. Thank you for all you do, Darin, for us Panther fans. Also, how can a fan like me get one of your T-Shirts? — Cheryl, Fuquay-Varina, NC
Well, there are a couple of ways, Cheryl. You could flatter me, because I am vain and shallow, and that always works. Or you could ask me a question that intrigues me and causes me to commit a journalism. But in your case, I can commission you to find out what happened to the patron saint of the lightning round Jeff from Fuquay-Varina, and trust that you'll get back to me, and make you this week's Friend of The Mailbag anyway.
There's still plenty of time on Bryce. They've already picked up his fifth-year option, so he's under contract through 2027. Quarterback stuff tends to take care of itself with time, and Young continues to improve.
As for the respect, get used to that. Welcome to living in a mid-market in the NFL. The Dallas Cowboys can add new concession items and be the topic of hours of conversation on ESPN, whether it makes sense or not. But attention doesn't equal respect or merit.
Take your comfort in knowing you are pulling for a team willing to do hard things on purpose, trying to build gradually and sustainably, and that you will soon be one of the most fashionable people in all of Fuquay-Varina. Let's face it, I just like saying Fuquay-Varina.
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And on that note, let's go lightning round, brought to you by the patron saint of the lightning round Jeff from Fuquay-Varina, to close it out this week.
We recently took a stadium tour that included a visit to the Panthers locker room, and I'd love to know the story (if there is one) behind the pink teddy bear in Jaycee Horn's locker. Thanks for your investigative help! P.S. This is not an April Fool's joke. I have photographic proof. — Joanna, Asheville, NC
Thankful for the P.S. April Fool's is one of the worst days of the year, because unfunny people suddenly start to think they're Mel Brooks. It's like St. Patrick's Day for casual drinkers — sloppy and full of inevitable regret.
As for the pink bear, that's from last offseason, when his baby daughter was born. And as a dad with a baby daughter, I can attest that their stuff ends up in your place and stays there, even when they grow up, graduate college, and find jobs and apartments of their own. He should be thankful it's not a kayak or a folding table from her sorority.
Hello Darin. I enjoy reading your insight on the Panthers and watching your podcast. My question is, what players have visited the Panthers for workouts before the draft? — Tom, Florence, AL
Some, and their names are all over social media, when their agents put it out there for attention. But take all those with a grain of salt. Teams bring guys in for all kinds of reasons, including to do more medical investigations, ask more questions for their character evaluation purposes, and any number of reasons. Some of them are legitimate football curiousity.
But it's also worth remembering that teams get to do 30 of them, and the Panthers only have seven draft picks. Context is everything.
What's your favorite Easter candy? — Katie, Charlotte
Deviled eggs. Going for the record this year.
Will the Carolina Panthers get new uniforms and stadium designs, like a all white uniform with a white field and new helmet designs like blue as the main color with black for the color rush jersey, and maybe a new number font? This would be nice to see because of all the teams with new designs and fields for there stadium. This was also a birthday wish of mine. Please send this to Dan Morgan to review my suggestion, please, and thank you, and re-sign Bryce Young, and we need to be on more Monday night and Sunday night shows. Can you also tell Cam Newton that it was not his fault for the fumble in the Super Bowl? — Jacob, Charlotte
Man, Jacob's bringing the heat and thinking outside the box. You know who else would think an all-white field would be awesome? Charlotte FC, since the ball is white, and it would be like playing against a team in camouflage.
As for new uniforms, not this offseason, the Falcons just unveiled theirs. And by teasing it with the MARTA bus video the other day, they won the daily internet. I told my counterpart, Tori McElhaney with the Falcons, I was going to Venmo her 10 bucks so she could buy that person a beer from me.
What's the best timeline for the Panthers? — Jacob, North Wilkesboro, NC
The one they're on right now. The perfect blend of improvement and aspiration. Ascending. Drink it in.
