It didn't take long for an unheralded rookie to firmly establish himself as the clubhouse leader in one of the Carolina Panthers' hottest position battles of the summer.
The Panthers have preached the importance of raised competition in the second year under this exciting regime. Dan Morgan, Brandt Tilis, and Dave Canales worked incredibly hard throughout the offseason to fortify starting spots and bolster depth. And everything must be earned in the coming weeks before Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars arrives.
Previous accomplishments don't matter much. Everyone is getting a chance to prove their worth with a clean slate. Those who prove themselves will be rewarded accordingly. Anyone not pulling their weight will be shown the door.
One of the more intriguing position battles centers on the kicking spot. Veteran journeyman Matthew Wright was brought in to replace Eddy Pineiro this offseason. There is also significant intrigue around undrafted free agent Ryan Fitzgerald, who hasn't come to make up the numbers by any stretch of the imagination.
Ryan Fitzgerald staking strong claim for Carolina Panthers kicking job
It was a rough start for Fitzgerald over the early part of voluntary OTAs. The former Florida State standout recovered well, showcasing his superb resolve and ability to handle pressure effectively. The rookie turned things up a notch to begin Carolina's mandatory minicamp, which could put him in pole position to secure the starting gig if the same trend continues.
According to the media in attendance, Fitzgerald went 5-for-5 on his field goal attempts on the skinny goalposts. This included successful attempts from 48, 53, and 58 yards.
Undrafted free agent rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald goes 5-for-5 on FGs today. (Did so on more narrow goalposts for practice, too.) Impressive. Last three were from 48 yards out, 53 yards out and 58 yards out.
— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) June 10, 2025
That's called making a statement.
The gauntlet has been laid down to Wright in no uncertain terms. It'll be his turn to kick on Wednesday, and a big response is needed. The last thing he needs is to be playing catch-up to start training camp later this summer. Any wayward production could even result in the Panthers ending this competition way ahead of time.
Kickers lead a week-to-week life in the pros. It's the most expendable position where everything could change in the blink of an eye. Fitzgerald is off to a tremendous start overall, but maintaining these high standards is a much trickier proposition.
Fitzgerald was a high-priority target for the Panthers when the undrafted free-agent frenzy commenced. Looking at the way he's applied himself so far, it's not hard to see why.
Wright must react positively to the challenge. Otherwise, he could be looking for alternative employment sooner rather than later.