Carolina Panthers offseason: Important dates for the diary in 2022

What are some important dates for the diary during what promises to be a dramatic Carolina Panthers offseason period ahead of the 2022 campaign?

The current Carolina Panthers offseason is arguably the most important in franchise history. Matt Rhule’s rebuild is hanging in the balance after yet another five-win campaign, with pressure going through the roof after the team somehow lost 12 of their final 14 games following an impressive start.

Some big decisions are looking in Carolina. Rhule has already been given a vote of confidence from team owner David Tepper behind the scenes, but it’s going to take a miracle to win fans back after morale stooped to an all-time low during the previous season.

A dramatic few weeks await. Here are some important dates to keep in your diary in 2022.

Carolina Panthers offseason: February dates

2022 Senior Bowl 

• Saturday, February 5

The Panthers get the chance to see some top college recruits in action during the 2022 Senior Bowl. This comes after a full week of practice for the invited college recruits, which could go a long way to determining where each specific prospect is drafted later in the spring.

Carolina had the privilege of coaching at the event in 2021 and spent no fewer than three draft picks on players they worked with close in Mobile, Alabama.

2022 Pro Bowl

• Sunday, February 6

This normally wouldn’t be of interest, but the Panthers have two representatives at the Pro Bowl this year after Brian Burns was named as a starter and All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore became a late addition after the Super Bowl teams were decided.

2022 HBCU Legacy Bowl

• Saturday, February 19

This is another chance for the Panthers to cast their eye on some lesser-known college hopefuls from Historically black colleges and universities. HBCUs have been a breeding ground for phenomenal talent over the years and thanks to the likes of Deion Sanders at Jackson State, this pro-pipeline should continue long into the future.

Carolina Panthers offseason: March dates

2022 NFL Scouting Combine

• March 1-7

The premier event for talent evaluators returns as college football’s finest athletes get tested, interviewed, and put their skills on full display during the NFL Scouting Combine. This is make-or-break for some and Carolina will be keeping a close eye on developments throughout.

2022 Franchise and Transition tag deadline

• Tuesday, March 8

The Panthers have until this date to decide whether or not to allocate franchise or transition tags on any impending free agents this offseason. Taylor Moton received the tag last year, with the organization also extending him to a bumper new deal with just hours to spare.

2022 Free-agent tampering period

• March 14-16

This is the unofficial time where players and teams can begin discussing potential moves and putting feelers out there to see what’s available. In all honesty, the Panthers and others across the league have been doing this for years – it’s only recently that the NFL decided to put a formal date in place to save face more than anything else.

2022 NFL league year begins

• Wednesday, March 16

One of the more exciting times of year for fans, the new league year beginning comes with intense speculation, rumors, and some bombshell trades thrown in for good measure. Just what the Panthers will be able to do is debatable – but it’s going to be a must-watch, nonetheless.

Free-agent movement and trades being permitted are the two things to officially keep an eye on here. The decisions Carolina makes will have huge ramifications.

2022 NFL league meetings

• March 27-30

Owners from across the league get together to discuss the state of affairs and implement any rule changes via vote. Wonder if we’ll have heard from Panthers owner David Tepper by this point?

Carolina Panthers offseason: April dates

2022 Offseason workouts begin

• Monday, April 18

After the Panthers gave Matt Rhule a reprieve this offseason, this is the earliest the team can come back for the official start of workouts. There will obviously be some chopping and changing to personnel, but Carolina should have the core nucleus of their 2022 roster by this point.

This is a chance for players to get back into the swing of things after a solid period of rest and reflection. The first steps to what will hopefully be a campaign of much improvement.

2022 Restricted free agent tender deadline

• Friday, April 22

The Panthers shouldn’t have much to worry about here with just one restricted free-agent remaining right now. P.J. Walker and Giovanni Ricci have already been extended.

2022 NFL Draft

• April 28-30

One of the most important dates of the entire offseason, the Panthers will look to strengthen their ranks with some college recruits of interest during the 2022 NFL Draft. Last year’s selection event was an entertaining one for the team, with general manager Scott Fitterer moving up and down the board constantly en route to a pretty successful draft overall.

The Panthers don’t have a Day 2 pick currently after trades for Sam Darnold and C.J. Henderson. But it wouldn’t be a shock if that changed before or during the draft.