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Panthers offseason workout dates announced

By Brandon Scott

SAN JOSE, CA - FEBRUARY 05: Quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers gives the Heisman Trophy pose while his teammates stretches during practice prior to Super Bowl 50 at San Jose State University on February 5, 2016 in San Jose, California. The Carolina Panthers face the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50 on February 7. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - FEBRUARY 05: Quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers gives the Heisman Trophy pose while his teammates stretches during practice prior to Super Bowl 50 at San Jose State University on February 5, 2016 in San Jose, California. The Carolina Panthers face the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50 on February 7. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The Carolina Panthers have their offseason workout dates to begin preparations for the 2018 season…

The NFL released offseason workout dates for all teams, Carolina Panthers included, as preparations for the new season officially begin on April 16 this year. General manager Marty Hurney and coach Ron Rivera have already started piecing together the roster but on-field workouts will not begin for another couple of weeks.

New head coaches are given a few extra days to familiarize themselves with personnel but that head start is not relevant to Carolina. The Panthers may have a new owner at some point before taking the field for a preseason game but Rivera remains at the helm, entering his eighth season on the sidelines in black and blue.

NFL guidelines in conjunction with the Collective Bargaining Agreement mandate the offseason workout schedule to be conducted in three phases. Each of these a bit more comprehensive than the last, taking place over nine weeks including voluntary workouts. Following, a mandatory minicamp ends official workouts until the team reconvenes for training camp.

Dates for the Panthers offseason workouts are as follows:

April 16 – First day
May 22-24 – OTAs (Organized Team Activities)
May 29-31 – OTAs continue
June 4-7 – OTAs continue
June 12-15 – Mandatory Minicamp

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Teams are allowed to execute conditioning and rehab components only during the first two weeks of practice before ramping up the competition. The next three weeks are comprised of individual group practices but no team drills are permitted. Finally, over the final few weeks full team drills can take place but no live contact is permitted.

As the Panthers enter 2018, these first few full team practices will give fans a glimpse into what both the offense and defense should look like under new coordinators. Norv Turner takes over on offense and will begin acquainting himself with quarterback Cam Newton, who should enjoy a full offseason to prepare unlike last season. Newton was sidelined after undergoing rotator cuff surgery earlier in the year.

On defense, Eric Washington takes over for former coordinator Steve Wilks who departed to take over the Arizona Cardinals. Washington, previously the defensive line coach for Carolina, isn’t expected to make too many changes on defense but should have some new pieces with which to work – especially in the secondary.

Next: Offseason Roster Review - Offense

It may not be live contact repetitions but the return of football is just a few weeks away.

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