5 Standouts (and 2 Strugglers) From the Carolina Panthers’ 2025 Offseason

The Carolina Panthers are now reflecting on what quickly became a fascinating offseason program. Dan Morgan and Brandt Tilis did their part by strengthening the roster throughout their second recruitment period. Now, it’s up to head coach Dave Canales and his staff to mold them into a cohesive unit.

There’s a growing sense that the Panthers could make massive improvements next season. The strides made over the second half of 2024 were encouraging.
Stability and collective purpose
replaced the dysfunction typically associated with the team under David Tepper’s ownership. It remains a precarious situation, but their trajectory is pointing up at long last.

Things will become tougher and more testing for players when training camp gets here. Even so, these early workouts are a good chance for players to establish themselves en route to important roles or places on the 53-man roster in 2025.

Canales and Morgan will assess every intricate detail in the coming weeks before the team comes together again. More additions to the ranks couldn’t be completely dismissed. There’s also a sense of satisfaction about the way things are currently unfolding before preparations for the 2025 campaign gather pace.

With this in mind, here are five winners and two losers from Carolina’s offseason program in 2025.

Winners and losers from Carolina Panthers’ 2025 offseason program

Winner No. 1

Xavier Legette – Carolina Panthers WR

Selecting Tetairoa McMillan at No. 8 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft turned up the heat on Xavier Legette. It wasn’t a sign that the Carolina Panthers were giving up on the wide receiver, but it did give them a legitimate contingency plan for their No. 1 option in the passing game if he cannot raise performance levels accordingly.

Legette went through a rookie rollercoaster. The flashes were immensely encouraging, but the flaws in his game were equally, if not more, frustrating. It’s a big offseason for the No. 32 pick in 2024, but it’s evident that he’s been
working hard to improve his craft
.

Those in attendance throughout Carolina’s offseason program noted Legette’s improved technique. He’s not catching passes with his body anymore. There’s confidence in his hands, the concentration is enhanced, and the movements are more in tune. The South Carolina graduate heard all the criticism, and he’s keen to change the narrative.

Having McMillan around is going to make things easier for Legette. At the same time, he
cannot fall into the sidekick trap
. The Panthers didn’t draft him in the first round for that.

Loser No. 1

Matthew Wright – Carolina Panthers PK

The Carolina Panthers have a genuine kicking competition on their hands. Eddy Pineiro wasn’t brought back, which was the right call after yet more inconsistencies from the veteran last time out. Matthew Wright was the early frontrunner to fill the void, but that might not be the case anymore.

Wright is a journeyman veteran who has never stuck anywhere for long. The former Central Florida standout’s second spell in Carolina could be short-lived if undrafted free agent Ryan Fitzgerald has any say in the matter.

Fitzgerald recovered from a rocky start to make a lasting impression. The Florida State product outperformed Wright over Carolina’s mandatory minicamp. While it’s too early to call the race,
most in the media believe
that the rookie has the upper hand right now.

Dave Canales will probably take this competition through training camp and the preseason. But make no mistake, Wright faces a real fight on his hands to win the job.

Winner No. 2

Chau Smith-Wade – Carolina Panthers DB

Carolina didn’t strengthen its cornerback options with the same urgency that other defensive position groups received during the offseason. Dan Morgan is reportedly still looking for another piece, but there’s also confidence that those already around can improve accordingly.

This brings Chau Smith-Wade firmly under the microscope. The 2024 fifth-round pick is being deployed across the secondary, and his knowledge of the schematic concepts has
reportedly enhanced considerably
. The former Washington State standout is making big plays and looks capable of an expanded role in Year 2 of his professional career.

Smith-Wade’s outstanding progress didn’t go unnoticed by his teammates, either. Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn proclaimed the defensive back as Carolina’s most impressive overall player so far. That’s high praise from one of the Panthers’ franchise cornerstones. Putting this momentum to good use over camp is crucial.

The Panthers will find out more about Smith-Wade’s outlook over camp, joint practices, and whatever reps come his way during the preseason. He’s a player fans should watch closely.

Winner No. 3

Hunter Renfrow – Carolina Panthers WR

It’s not costing the Panthers much to find out if Hunter Renfrow still has something left in the tank. The wide receiver is getting the chance to galvanize his career after illness prevented him from featuring in 2024. Looking at the early returns, it’s clear he’s eager to make up for some lost time.

Renfrow is starting to find his football legs again. The muscle memory as a route-runner is returning. The Pro Bowler is building back confidence and fitness, which was always the most important objective at this early stage before things get more intense over the summer.

The Panthers’ wide receiver room is crowded. Renfrow’s margin for error remains razor-thin, especially considering others on the fringes have more use on special teams than the former Clemson standout. But he’s
given himself a fighting chance
of making the squad.

What comes next is more important for Renfrow, but don’t be surprised if he makes it.

Winner No. 4

Princely Umanmielen – Carolina Panthers OLB

It was no surprise to see the Carolina Panthers transform their edge-rushing room this offseason. Trading up twice on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft for pass-rushing help represented a major statement of intent — one that gives defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero more firepower than at any stage during his time with the franchise.

Second-round pick Nic Scourton should carve out a role for himself immediately. However, there’s a growing sense that third-rounder Princely Umanmielen might be more pro-ready right out of the gate in 2025.

Umanmielen wasn’t pleased about having to wait until the Panthers came up to end his draft slide at No. 77 overall. The former Ole Miss star felt he should have gone much higher, but
he’s putting the chip on his shoulder to good use
so far.

The explosiveness and fast-paced movements in tight windows caught the eye throughout Carolina’s offseason program. Umanmielen is forcing the issue en route to prominent rookie involvement. And that’s the best-case scenario for the Panthers.

Loser No. 2

Tommy Tremble – Carolina Panthers TE

The Panthers endured some terrible injury luck last season. There were several other important factors behind their eventual demise, but this didn’t exactly help matters.

There haven’t been many concerning developments on the health front this offseason. Dan Morgan made some changes to the strength and conditioning and nutrition departments, and it shows. However, it wasn’t ever going to be completely smooth sailing.

Dave Canales revealed during Carolina’s offseason program that Tommy Tremble had back surgery and is expected to return at some stage before Week 1. The timeline wasn’t set in stone, but it’s already left the former third-round pick out of Notre Dame playing catch-up.

Tremble got a new deal this offseason to prevent the tight end from leaving in free agency. This was the right call, but another unfortunate injury pushes the door open for Ja’Tavion Sanders and rookie Mitchell Evans to firmly establish themselves.

The Notre Dame graduate should still have a role if he makes a full recovery. But that might be as a blocking specialist when it’s all said and done.

Winner No. 5

Bryce Young – Carolina Panthers QB

Bryce Young’s career trajectory has completely changed in recent months. The quarterback went from being discussed among the biggest draft busts of the modern era to potentially being Carolina’s long-term option at football’s most important position. That’s a testament to his exceptional resolve in the face of adversity.

There’s a different aura around Young now. He’s confident, moves purposefully, and has everyone believing in his capabilities. The former Alabama standout is also becoming more vocal, getting into it with cornerback Jaycee Horn during practices to
develop a friendly rivalry
that will only make them better.

It’s been an impressive offseason from Young’s perspective. There’s conviction and surgical precision regarding his distribution. Familiarity with the scheme and head coach Dave Canales provides a sense of security that was sorely lacking previously.

If the same trend continues over the summer, a genuine breakout campaign for Young in 2025 might not be too far behind.

More Carolina Panthers news and analysis

This article was originally published on Farovintas
5 winners (and 2 losers) from Carolina Panthers’ 2025 offseason program
.