The Carolina Panthers host the Chicago Bears to kick off their season. It has been a long eight months since they last stepped onto the field, and with an improved roster coming off an NFC South championship, they are looking to take the next step.
The Panthers have now set their 53-man roster for the upcoming campaign. Head coach Dave Canales is prepping his team for a tough Week 1 matchup, while general manager Dan Morgan helped turn weaknesses into strengths.
Ahead of Week 1, fans have questions that need answering, including the biggest surprise cuts and why certain players were moved. Let's answer them in the newest edition of the Cat Crave mailbag.
Questions fans are asking ahead of the Carolina Panthers' regular-season opener
Writer's Note: Questions have been edited for clarity.
Trevin Wallace's departure
Curious, behind the intention of cutting Trevin Wallace, did they “hope” to stash him on the practice squad? I assume their data told ‘em there's a good chance they lose, and they’re comfortable with that risk? Was hoping someone would have asked during the D Morgan presser. — Mike on X
When the Panthers waived linebacker Trevin Wallace, that was it for his career in Carolina. That meant the team no longer believed he could be a viable contributor or develop at the rate they had hoped for.
My impression is that Wallace's services didn't align with the team's timeline for the position, especially given what was available on the waiver wire. Signing Bobby Okereke and adding Tyrel Dodson to the practice squad told me all I needed to know about how Morgan felt about the linebacker room.
Biggest surprises from roster cuts
What surprised you about the Panthers' cuts? — Ed on X
Waiving Wallace was a surprise at the time, as was keeping five tight ends on the roster and not making a move at the position since.
Cornerback Chau Smith-Wade did enough to earn a spot, but even on the day of cutdowns, I thought he was on the outs. Credit to him for making plays and doing what needed to be done to stay in Carolina.
Overall, there weren't any major surprises. The cuts went almost as I expected, and the practice squad features several standouts from training camp and the preseason who could see the field at some point this year with a standard elevation.
Pass rush improvements
How much better do you think our pass rush will be? Which player is getting the most sacks? And whoever it is, how many? — Icy on X
Despite losing Nic Scourton to a torn ACL on the opening day of training camp, the Panthers' pass rush is an area where they will see the biggest jump in success from last season. After finishing in the bottom five in several statistical areas, I'm expecting a leap in pressure rate, total pressures, and sacks.
Jaelan Phillips, the Panthers' $120 million pass rusher, plays a big role. Despite my bold prediction that second-year edge rusher Princely Umanmielen leads the team in sacks, the new arrival is the realistic favorite, and I'll say he gets at least 10 sacks for the first time in his career.
This opens the door for interior pass-rush opportunities with star defensive lineman Derrick Brown, rookie Lee Hunter, Tershawn Wharton (whenever he returns), and others. Patrick Jones II and Trevis Gipson will also have inside-out roles to create exotic fronts and confusion in the trenches.
Changes in philosophy
Do you think we can expect to see more pre-snap motion and/or play-action on offense this year? They looked like a different passing game when they did that. What about blitzing from the second level? — Adam on BlueSky
Based on reports from training camp, the Panthers seem to have a more aggressive passing game under offensive coordinator Brad Idzik, the new play-caller this season.
We have seen, as Adam mentioned, flashes of more pre-snap motion and play action that could give quarterback Bryce Young wider bases to work from, leading to more aggressive downfield shots and explosive plays.
I'd also expect to see more 13 personnel, maybe at a similar rate to what we saw toward the end of last season. You can be creative with looks and formations from three tight end sets and take advantage of mismatches in the run and pass game against opposing nickels and linebackers over the middle of the field.
I'm excited to see what the passing game will look like under Idzik, and facing a solid Bears defense is a good way to start.
As for the defense, I expect there to be better opportunities for effective blitzes. We should see more exotic looks up front, such as simulated pressures, coffeehouse blitzes, and fire zones.
With the addition of Phillips, Devin Lloyd, and Okereke, we should expect more pressure from the second level.
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