What impact would no fans at training camp have on Panthers?
By Dean Jones
The Carolina Panthers face the prospect of a training camp without the inclusion of fans, but what impact would that have on the team’s preparation?
Things are changing rapidly regarding the coronavirus pandemic situation. This is particularly evident in the NFL and could lead to some substantial changes to the Carolina Panthers’ training camp plans in 2020.
The franchise is not expected to reopen Bank of America Stadium until early June despite meeting the necessary criteria. This is a smart move from the Carolina Panthers given the level of risk still associated with Covid-19 across the country.
When the new-look roster finally manages to come together, it will be in an entirely different setting. They may not be traveling to their normal camp environment at Wofford College and the prospect of any fans watching their sessions is all-but written off.
It will be interesting to see how the Panthers cope with so many changes to their regular offseason program. It is far from an ideal situation for everyone concerned. But health and welfare priorities far supersedes that of anything sport-related at the present time.
Having no fans at the training camp will be a surreal sight. This is possibly the only opportunity some supporters get a year to come in close contact with their heroes and this is just one disappointing but necessary aspect of what is ahead in the coming months.
This is a crucial time for the Carolina Panthers, who are in the first year of a rebuild. The lack of face-to-face time head coach Matt Rhule has had with his new players is concerning. And it remains to be seen just how beneficial their virtual OTAs have been in the grand scheme of things.