Panthers 2022 training camp preview: Full schedule, top storylines to watch
The Carolina Panthers haven’t struggled to make headlines this offseason.
It all started with the team’s all-out pursuit of Deshaun Watson, which yielded nothing more for Carolina than broken dignity and further uncertainty around the leader of the offense. But since then, general manager Scott Fitterer has created a real competition under center and revamped the offensive line tasked with protecting whoever wins it. Paired with some notable acquisitions on defense and an underrated signing on special teams, the Panthers look like a different team entering the 2022 season.
Now, with two days until the squad reports to training camp, these are the players and storylines to keep an eye out for as the blurrier parts of Carolina’s depth chart begin to come into focus.
Training camp schedule
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Location: Wofford College, Spartanburg, S.C.
Practice dates: July 27-30, Aug. 1-3, Aug. 5-6, Aug. 8-11 (full schedule)
Notable practices: Back Together Saturday (July 30), Fan Fest (August 11)
Key acquisitions
Mandatory Credit: Griffin Zetterberg-USA TODAY Sports
Offense: QB Baker Mayfield, QB Matt Corral, RB D’Onta Foreman, OT Ikem Ekwonu, G Austin Corbett, G Cade Mays C Bradley Bozeman
Defense: DE Amaré Barno, DT Matthew Ioannidis, LB Cory Littleton, LB Damien Wilson, LB Brandon Smith, CB Kalon Barnes, S Xavier Woods
Special teams: P Johnny Hekker
Key departures
AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee
Offense: QB Cam Newton, RB Ameer Abdullah, G John Miller, C Matt Paradis
Defense: DE Haason Reddick, DT DaQuan Jones, LB Jermaine Carter Jr., CB A.J. Bouye, CB Stephon Gilmore
Most interesting storylines
Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Who will win the QB1 competition?
After an underwhelming 2021 campaign from Sam Darnold, the Panthers immediately tried to bring in a new quarterback this offseason. They wound up bringing in two.
The first of those was Corral, the Ole Miss product who Carolina selected in the third round of the draft. Later, the team traded for Mayfield, who looks like the candidate with the best shot of winning the spot.
Another interesting plot line will be tracking PJ Walker’s performance, who may as well be auditioning for another team while he fights an uphill battle to keep his roster spot with the Panthers.
Will the defensive line be able to recover from significant losses?
One of the Panthers’ strongest position groups last season was its defensive line. While the offensive front struggled to protect Darnold, the defense did its job respectably—sacking the opposing quarterback 39 times.
This offseason, though, Haason Reddick—who led the unit in sacks with 11.0—signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in what was arguably the biggest loss for the unit this summer. Since losing Reddick and underrated Jones, the team has actively looked to fill the holes through free agency and the draft.
If Barno and Ioannidis can effectively replace Reddick and Jones, respectively, then the Panthers should be equipped to become an even deadlier defense this season.
Did the Panthers do enough to fix their offensive line?
Last season, Carolina relinquished the fifth-most in sacks allowed. And unless your team has Joe Burrow under center, it’s tough to expect success without a stout offensive line.
While the Panthers improved at quarterback by acquiring Mayfield and Corral, none of that will mean much unless the offensive line can offer whoever wins the starting gig enough time in the pocket. Luckily, Carolina’s front office seemed to realize that this summer, making the offensive line a priority early and often.
Between Ekwonu, Corbett, Mays and Bozeman, it will be interesting to see how the offensive line matches up against some preseason edge rushers in the coming weeks.
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