5 Carolina Panthers under the most scrutiny at 2021 training camp

Which Carolina Panthers are under the most scrutiny during a hugely important 2021 training camp for the organization at Wofford College?

All eyes will be on the Carolina Panthers as they take the field for their first training camp practice on Wednesday. It’s been another dramatic offseason of both recruitment and player departures across the board, which came as no real surprise after team owner David Tepper decided to bring in Scott Fitterer from the Seattle Seahawks to replace Marty Hurney as general manager.

Hurney’s methods are fast becoming outdated and not what Tepper’s analytical approach required. Getting the chance to see this new-look roster take the field at Wofford College in Spartanburg for the first time will be a fascinating proposition and something everyone associated with the Panthers should be looking forward to.

It’s easy to read too much into camp performance.

Plenty of players over the years have turned it on in team drills and done nothing when competitive action rolls around. But Carolina needs to get off on the right foot and set the correct tempo in pursuit of progression in 2021.

With this in mind, here are five Panthers who will be scrutinized more than most when camp gets underway.

Number 1

Matt Rhule – Carolina Panthers HC

This will be Matt Rhule’s first full training camp after COVID-19 threw a big wrench in his plans last summer. Not exactly the most ideal way to approach your first year as head coach, but the former Baylor man still left a good impression on players and the widespread media alike.

Rhule and his staff were a little naive at times in 2020. Something that wasn’t unexpected given their lack of experience at the next level.

How he adjusts and takes command this time around will be crucial. Rhule also gets a big say in personnel decisions, so how his new recruits get on in new surroundings should also be something to monitor closely.