CHARLOTTE — Last week contained multitudes, and not just in terms of the weather.
The Panthers worked out in conditions that covered the spectrum from sublime perfection (Monday) to too-early-for-this hot (Tuesday) and then a biblical rain that gave way to ordinary swamplike-humidity (Thursday).
But through it all, there are some common threads that have emerged during their OTA workouts beyond the particular football plays. The little things between plays and what they represent might be the most telling part of the OTA season.
Most importantly, you can see players beginning to lead the way, whether it's Bryce Young and Jaycee Horn chirping at each other, Chuba Hubbard emerging as the conscience of the place, or Derrick Brown voicing his concerns about a particular play to officials. Then you see Adam Thielen on the side, coaching up Tetairoa McMillan and Xavier Legette, and you begin to see the makings of what people like to describe as "culture."
Of course, it's also helpful to remember that it's June, and they haven't lost a game or encountered any difficulties yet. And as the famed Eastern philosopher John Fox taught us, everyone in the NFL is only "two weeks away from disaster." His point was that it can always get worse, and it's always lurking around the corner, which is why you have to do the daily work daily.
But it's also worth noting that nothing has happened to discourage last year's general trend of forward momentum. It's early yet, but the spring has been a good one for a team that closed strong last season.
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Why is TMac getting so much early publicity? Shouldn't he have to earn his stripes like the vets? He may become a special player, but he hasn't earned the right to be the face of the franchise yet. Right now, this is Bryce and Chuba's team or Jaycee and Derrick's team. I hope TMac becomes a great player, but it seems like everyone is feeding an ego. — Bob, Aurora, CO
Well, the easy answer is, "Because he's a top 10 pick in the NFL draft and the most recent one."
That kind of attention is natural, but he also gets that kind of attention for a reason. He's big and fast and catches things in a way that a lot of other people do not.
The other things you see him doing don't exactly speak to ego, either. He's getting coached from multiple levels by position coach Rob Moore and vets like Thielen and Hunter Renfrow, who work with him and Legette on the side daily during practice. And if a player with physical gifts like McMillan can learn the fine points of route-running or physical readiness from guys like them, he's wise to accept the free tuition.
And there's no evidence to suggest he's not.
"It's a huge testament to everybody's humility that we have in our group; nobody's entitled," McMillan said. "At the end of the day, we all want to see each other succeed; if one person wins, we all win.
"I mean, it's a blessing. I'm the new guy around town. I've never played in this league, and you know, Hunter's going on, I think it's Year (7), and I think Adam's going on Year 13. For them just to have that knowledge, that wisdom, I'm all ears when they speak. Just being able to find out whatever makes them great, find out whatever can make me better, makes me succeed at this level."
There's a kernel of truth in your question; he still hasn't done it on the field the way those other guys you mentioned have. But it's June, and he just got drafted, so he hasn't had the opportunity, either.
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Why hasn't Nic Scourton signed? — Westray, Kershaw, SC
It's just like the real estate market, its location, location, location.
Scourton is one of the 30 second-round picks who remain unsigned league-wide, so it's far too soon to panic. Only the first two players chosen in the second have signed contracts at the moment (No. 33 Carson Schwesinger and No. 34 Jayden Higgins).
Just like nature, agents abhor a vacuum since no one wants to make a deal that becomes an outlier later.
And there's not really much of a concern about it either, as he's here every day working and also working overtime with fellow rookie Princely Umanmielen as they try to catch up to the demands of being NFL players.
If the rest of the second round signs and he doesn't, maybe worry then, but there's still plenty of time. Another of the ancient wise men of the league told me once that "rookie contracts are like potty training," in that, everybody worries obsessively about when it's going to happen, but it always eventually happens.
The key is he's here, working, and getting ready because he's going to have a role in this defense.
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Why are the Panthers not talking about Jalen Coker, and not utilizing him as much as they should because he had a higher grade than Xavier Legette and he was more reliable? He's a forgotten receiver when he did so well as an undrafted free agent. — Danny, Woodbridge, NJ
If there's been a lack of talk about Coker so far, it's at least partly because he missed some time in the earlier part of the offseason with a soft-tissue injury, but he's back on the field this week.
But as we discussed in a recent 'Bag, he also happens to be a part of a suddenly deeper position group.
With a pair of first-rounders in McMillan and Legette, Thielen, Renfrow, David Moore, Dan Chisena, Jimmy Horn Jr., and some undrafteds from this year who are having good springs, that's an extremely competitive spot now.
The work he did last year was good, no doubt, but he has to keep building on it, too. But when the second group is out there, and you see Andy Dalton throwing it to Moore, Coker, and Renfrow in certain groupings and making some plays, you realize that depth is a good thing to have.
But you also have to think of these things a few years out, and the reality is if Coker continues to develop, he'll be here during a time after Thielen, so don't get caught up in the immediate.
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It is easy to be excited before any snaps in the season, but the team really seems to be making good, smart moves for the future without crippling us with bad trades and terrible signings. Plus with the floor of five wins to exceed to show improvement, the odds seem in the team's favor to show some momentum towards a return to NFCS dominance in the future.
Anyway, while a lot of folks are focused on the WR competition (rightly so, given all the positive changes we have had), the center position competition seems to have been lost in the shuffle. Do you have a prediction on who will win the spot between Cade Mays and Austin Corbett at center? Bonus question. Do you see us bringing in a third person to compete with the two of them (or at least someone for rotational depth if one of them goes down - we can never have enough big men in the trenches anyway. Thanks for taking the questions! — Ben, Milton, GA
Ben is my kind of people. In June, before pads even begin to stink like sweat and anything resembling real football is going on, he's thinking about interior offensive line play. Thus, he's this week's Friend Of The Mailbag, and we'll get the appropriate honorarium on the way soon.
That competition won't be settled anytime soon. Corbett entered as the incumbent, and has the experience advantage, but it's not nearly a reasonable assumption that he's the guy.
Mays got his turn with the ones last week, and didn't look out of place either, after a solid run last season.
I wouldn't expect them to go outside for more options at this point, but they are cross-training a number of dudes there.
"Everybody on the roster is the backup center," Corbett said with a laugh, and he knows that's true because he was the backup center when he was a guard here and in Los Angeles and Cleveland.
Brady Christensen has done it before, and they've had Chandler Zavala working on snaps at times this offseason as well, among a number of other guys.
Of course, Zavala has yet to say no to any invitation. "Chandler, will you put on lederhosen and go to Germany and announce a draft pick?" Sure. "Chandler, want to go outside and do yoga with a goat?" Absolutely. So when someone says "Want to snap," of course he's part of the group working on it.
That offensive line group is deeper and more qualified than it's been in years, and having multiple guys who can play multiple spots is part of that.
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What will the Panthers do in the off-season about the other cornerback spot opposite Horn? Draft another one? Do they want a slot cornerback to compete with Chau Smith-Wade? Also, will they sign any UFL players? — Louis, Salters, SC
Even after bringing back Mike Jackson and extending Horn, this isn't one of the positions at which they've adequately addressed the depth questions. You can't do it all in one offseason, or even in two.
And it's reasonable to expect them to add there next offseason, but in the interim, some younger guys are getting looks.
Smith-Wade looks so much more comfortable in his second season, as you'd expect, and he has experience inside which will be helpful. But his background is on the perimeter, so he would likely be the next man up if anything happened to Horn or Jackson.
Shemar Bartholomew has made some plays in recent practices (including a dramatic pick-six to close it out Tuesday), as has Akayleb Evans. They were part of the all-hands-on-deck approach to the position last year.
Bartholomew was claimed off waivers from the Jets last August, one of six players claimed at the initial cuts to 53. The Panthers were one of four teams to put in a claim, suggesting that young corners with size are always in demand. And he had a chance to learn and grow into this system.
Evans was claimed off waivers in November from the Vikings. He's played some in the league, starting 15 games for Minnesota in 2023. He's also one of the fastest dudes on the roster, which is saying something.
I'm sure they'll continue to look around. Since Dan Morgan has become general manager, that much has become clear.
As it pertains to the UFL, they haven't moved for any of the spring league players so far. Doesn't mean they won't, but they seem to like what they have on hand better than what they've seen in that developmental league.
The roster has been remarkably consistent this spring. Other than swapping out a receiver because of injury (Moose Muhammad III), they haven't made any transactions at all in nearly a month. That's in stark contrast to years past, when guys were coming and going throughout OTAs.
That suggests a certain stability and confidence in the scouting department as well. If you bring in a guy and immediately find out he doesn't belong during rookie minicamp, that's not ideal. But they haven't had to shuffle any of those guys out, for what it's worth.
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I figured if anyone at the facility would know the answer to this, it'd be you. I still have one of those Blue "Keep Pounding" rubber band bracelets from back in the Cam Newton era on my wrist. It is in serious need of replacement. Do you know if there's a box of those lying around in a closet somewhere? Can you snag me one single bracelet? Why am I asking YOU this? I dunno, you seem like the kinda guy who likes poking around in places others don't look. I didn't see any at the team store last time I was there. But I bet there's a box tucked away somewhere. Thanks, man. — John, Chapel Hill, NC
Gang, I think John just low-key called me a hoarder.
Which happens to be true, and for good reason. First, you never know when you're going to need a good (fill in the blank). That's why when anyone I may be related to tries to declutter my house, they are met with great resistance, and usually some version of "That's a perfectly good (fill in the blank)."
But also, I will never apologize for my curiosity. Yes, I am the kind of guy who likes to explore hidden passages and look in all the nooks and crannies of whatever building I happen to be in for treasures. I once almost bought a house because it had a Scooby Doo door that led to a panic room/wine cellar, and while I was between wives, I went out with a young lady who said she knew where the secret tunnels at a prominent downtown bank were. I can't remember her name, but I distinctly recall the FOMO of never seeing the secret tunnels.
We've found some things here in the stadium, including old promotional items (the mayonnaise from the college football games starts to change colors after four or five years), paperwork from long-ago transactions (Sam Mills' contract with original signatures!), and even personal belongings of some certain former co-workers that I'm hanging onto just in case we ever need to sage the place or have a ritual sacrifice like in Ted Lasso.
But I haven't found any of those blue bracelets you're referring to, which were retail items available in the team store. Team historian David Monroe (who shares my affinity for cool old stuff) suggests that looking at online marketplaces like eBay or Facebook Marketplace might be your best bet.
We'll also put this out for the wisdom of the crowd. If anybody's got one, Johnny here is in the market. I think rather than a cash purchase, this should be a barter situation. I bet he has something cool to trade you for it if you have an extra one, because he also seems like a hoarder if he's looking for a 10-to-15-year-old rubber bracelet.
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Long-time reader of the Mailbag, first time sending in a question. I'm a fan of the Panthers drafting Tetairoa McMillan in the first round, even though we may regret the player scorned, Jalon Walker, going to our rival, the Atlanta Falcons. I hope Tet becomes "all world" rather than Jalon. It could be a tough decade ahead if Jalon becomes the next Luke Kuechly.
Is it too early to project Tet as the next Panthers star? We should get some great headlines over the years with the "Tet Offensive "or using a clever name like "4-Tet" or "Quartet as a play on his name and uniform number. Looking forward to seeing how it develops! — Steve, Raleigh, NC
The next Luke Kuechly is a significant expectation to put on anyone. When I was in Canton the other week talking to Jared Allen, he talked about being traded here in midseason 2015. This is a Hall of Famer casually saying, "I mean, that's Luke Kuechly's defense."
But yes, anyone else having a Luke Kuechly would be bad. Luke Kuechly is the answer to all of life's problems. Luke Kuechly might be the most powerful force in the universe. If the Rebels in Star Wars had Luke Kuechly, they wouldn't have needed The Force. If a football team (NFL or middle school), radio broadcast, schedule release video, or any other endeavor wants to become better, they add a little Luke Kuechly, and results follow.
As far as McMillan's nickname, I love a good pun (more than most people, actually), but I won't be going with any variations of "Tet" for one simple reason.
"Because I named him Tetairoa," his mother, Shawny, explained when asked about her preference against that abbreviation. The look on her face made it clear she was not to be trifled with. Never mess with Mom.
I've tried to say "TMac" (no hyphen, per his preference) or "Nalo," but it feels strange coming out of an old person's mouth. So, I think I'll just stick with his given name for now.
Hey Darin! With the recent XL news, we're dying to know. Please list your top four GloRilla songs in order. And as the 'Nard Dog once said, Deep Tracks Only. No Hits. Also, keep in mind that her verse on She Got It does NOT count. — Josh, Charlotte
To reduce a catalog of that kind of art to just four examples is demeaning, both to me and Glo. Although, I will have "Let Her Cook" in my head for the rest of my days, and not just for the Isaac Hayes sample.
This became a thing when Legette popped up in her music video this week, and plenty of people have way more than four thoughts. Here's what I'll say.
Between this and his secret identity and the Kentucky Derby and the Hurricanes game the other week, he's been out there a lot this offseason. Which might be a problem if he also wasn't on the practice field every day and getting better at his day job — which he is. After a big day in practice earlier this week, which featured a number of deep balls, he went straight to the Jugs machine with King of the Grinders Chuba Hubbard to catch a full rack.
Let fun be fun, and let's hope that Glo and everyone else finds their type. The heart wants what the heart wants.
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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.
When and where can I purchase Fan Fest tickets for season 2025? — Jessica, Salisbury, NC
We'll have that information for you right here at Panthers.com later this summer. That one's usually closer to the start of training camp.
The event will be held at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 2. And since construction of the new indoor facility prevents fans from coming to training camp this year, it'll be a big one.
What's your first impression of UDFA Jack Henderson? I'm a season ticket holder for Minnesota and watched him the last 2 years. At Minnesota, Jack was a key player for the defense: fast, a big hitter, and really a smart player. I really hope Jack sticks with Panthers. — Pete, Denver, CO
He's an interesting player, one of several at that spot. Until they make significant additional signings at that position, there's an open door for one of those rookies to make this team. The preseason games will be huge for those guys, both as defensive players and special teamers.
What do you see the Panthers record being this year? — Jameson, Summerville, SC
Better. Then again, it's June. Everything seems better now.
