CHARLOTTE — The offseason is a chance for players to get out of town. To unplug, escape with family and explore the big world. As a rookie with high expectations, though, Nic Scourton feels his world needs to revolve around Carolina Panthers football for the time being.

"I stayed here the whole break just trying to figure out Charlotte," Scourton shared Tuesday, on final report day ahead of training camp. "I love it, man, the city is full of juice and full of love, and I think, once we get this back rolling, it's going to be beautiful."

While exploring his new city, Scourton discovered "nice museums, amazing food, great trails and walks," although he later clarified that it was his parents who visited the museums, not him. But he did get pictures, so "I was a part of it. I'm in the group chat, so I was a part of it."

Learning more about the city means learning more about the history as well. Not the connections to Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg, or it's past a mint city. No, Nic Scourton spent time learning about history close to his heart, such as a former hotshot linebacker who helped turn around a defense and become a foundational piece on a team making a Super Bowl run.

"I'm just happy to be here, honestly, but you know, going back and watching his tape, man, Dan's a freak," the rookie pass rusher said of his general manager, Dan Morgan, the former Panthers linebacker.

"He's a monster, man. I have so much more respect for him because he's been in my position and, like I said, I'm just so blessed to be here."

But more than anything this offseason, Scourton tended to, and went on walks with, his pets.

"When I'm sitting in the house, I got my little kitty right there. I just want to get out a little bit, listen to some music, clear my head a little bit, and I don't know, I guess like I kind of daydream a little bit," he admitted.

"I'm walking around trees. I might hit a little swipe, you know, just getting out there, getting active, some little active recovery."

That's all well and good, and props to the second-round rookie (who has now officially signed his contract) for finding ways to turn off his mind while still working on pass rush swipes. But when a 6-2 257-pound outside linebacker mentions having a kitty, the natural—and immediate—follow-up is, tell us about the cat.

"JR, I got a Maine Coon, a Maine Coon, if you know what that is. He's going to be like 35 pounds. He's only 15 weeks, so he's like, I don't know, I haven't weighed him. He's got to go back to the vet when he's 6 months, so I'll update you," Scourton shared.

The Maine Coon breed is the largest of the domesticated cat breeds, even if they don't normally reach the 35 pounds Scourton is thinking of. According to The Cat Fanciers' Association, most males reach or exceed around 20 pounds. Which is still an abnormally large cat.

"He's going to be healthy," promised Scourton. "I mean, when you get these cats, you expect them to be big, and that's what I got them for, because I'm not a big dog person, like I have a dog and I have a mini long-haired dachshund, she's very small, but, I love cats and he's a big cat and he's dope and he's fun, and he's like really friendly, so I love him."

Fret not, there was a follow-up about the dog as well.

"Her name's Lily. Lily comes tomorrow," Scourton said.

The timing of the trip worked out. Scourton's brother will bring his long-haired dachshund to Charlotte and pet-sit for both JR and Lily while Scourton stays in the team hotel for training camp.

Training camp might mean the Texas native is away from his precious pets for a few weeks, but it is an opportunity to put into action all he's learned this offseason thus far. He has picked the brains of veterans like Patrick Jones II and D.J. Wonnum about what to expect, but knows there's really only one way to truly find out what it entails.

"You can get as much information as you want, I mean, but until you're in it, you really don't (know)," admitted Scourton.

"So I'm just trying to come into the camp with a clear head. I'm ready to compete. I'm trying to earn some reps out there, so just come in here clear-headed and sure to get to work.

"So I'm excited. I'm just ready to put a helmet and pads on and get out there and get these fans riled up."

And of course, make JR and Lily proud.