5 major observations from Day 1 of Panthers 2022 mandatory minicamp
By Dean Jones
What were some major observations from Day 1 of the eagerly awaited Carolina Panthers mandatory minicamp ahead of the 2022 season?
The Carolina Panthers ramped up their offseason preparations for the 2022 season with the official start of the team’s mandatory minicamp. This gave coaches the chance to work with every roster member for the first time this offseason and hopefully, the right foundations can be laid ahead of training camp, preseason games, and the commencement of competitive fixtures.
This is a pivotal part of the preparation period for the Panthers with fortunes clearly hanging in the balance next season. There is some hope that genuine development and improved results can occur, but everything has to go smoothly and a strong start to the campaign is also essential with so many home contests over the first six weeks.
Aside from the obvious concerns at the quarterback position, it’s hard to look at the roster with anything other than positivity at the moment. That could change in the blink of an eye based on what transpired in 2021, so it’ll be interesting to see how each individual approaches the next few days with a little more intensity expected than was evident at voluntary OTAs.
With this in mind, here are five major observations from Day 1 of the team’s mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.
Major Observation No. 1
Carolina Panthers preaching player influence
The Carolina Panthers had a number of veterans missing from the first mandatory minicamp practice. But outside linebacker Shaq Thompson stated that it was far from a day off for those on the sidelines.
Matt Rhule wants more player involvement across the board this offseason. Something that led to Thompson and others coaching up the younger guys in pursuit of assisting their development.
This might not sound like much, but it’s a huge leap in the right direction. A decision from Rhule that will hopefully form closer bonds among teammates along the way.