4 critical observations from Carolina Panthers 2023 training camp Day 1

What critical observations emerged from a fascinating first practice in front of a bumper crowd at Carolina Panthers training camp?

Football is finally back. While there has yet to be a preseason or regular season game played, the sound and smell of training camp was in full swing on Wednesday.

I had the opportunity to see these Carolina Panthers players and coaches from the side of the famous hill at the Wofford College practice fields. It was great to see some of the most talented athletes in the world move around and be active in front of a packed audience.

There is a lot to get into from the first practice of training camp. From Bryce Young to Donte Jackson and Marquan McCall to Miles Sanders, here are four observations from Wednesday’s hot and humid session.

Carolina Panthers' increased energy

As I got out of my vehicle in the parking lot across the street from Gibbs Stadium, there was an obvious sign of excitement and high energy from fans.

I walked into the viewing area next to the close side field and the energy was unlike anything I experienced during the Matt Rhule era and certainly over, at the very least, the last five years. This is the first year since 2018 that there is legitimate hope and excitement from fans and local media.

That is the effect of a new coaching staff and a No. 1 overall draft selection with incredible talent.

As Bryce Young jogged onto the practice field for the first time as a Carolina Panthers player, there was a roar from the crowd not heard from since Cam Newton’s last time on that practice field in 2019.

While not as loud, there was a decent-sized cheer toward head coach Frank Reich, who was walking into the Wofford College sunshine for the first time in nearly three decades.

If this is the type of atmosphere that training camp will have this summer, just wait until the New Orleans Saints come into town for the Panthers' home opener on Monday Night Football. That will be an environment not witnessed in quite a while throughout the Carolinas.

Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young looks like the real deal

This was an easy observation to make. During 11-on-11s, Bryce Young showed fans and media in attendance why he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Watching him up close in person compared to a television or laptop screen is quite the experience. I love how Young responds to the coaching of Frank Reich and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown.

Not only that, his teammates respond just as well to him. It’s easy to see why Reich confirmed to the world that his rookie was QB1.

Young made some incredible throws during practice. Sure, there were timing issues and that will improve over the next several weeks, but those were overshadowed by some awesome throws to Adam Thielen on an out-breaking route, a beautiful deep ball to D.J. Chark between two defenders, and another one to the speedy deep threat along the sideline.

The former Alabama star signal-caller showcased incredible awareness and mobility inside and outside the pocket. Young was never reckless with the ball nor put it into harm's way.

Young is ready and I think his football intelligence helps him a lot along with the traits he possesses. That was clear as day as he and Thielen connect quite a few times during practice.

While there might be a stretch where he is getting adjusted to the speed of the game, everything seems to be in slow motion for Young. It wouldn’t surprise a soul if he steps onto the field in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons and picks up where he left off at Alabama.

Carolina Panthers CB Donte Jackson looks healthy, better than ever

One of the big questions on the Carolina Panthers defense is the health and play of veteran cornerback Donte Jackson. The sixth-year defensive back tore his Achilles at the midway point of last season, ending his campaign and putting doubt into the minds of fans about his ability or inability to stay healthy.

Entering a crucial year, Jackson has a lot to prove to fans and Frank Reich’s staff. However, starting training camp off the Physically Unable to Perform list and being full-go for practice was big. He will be monitored throughout the next few weeks and it wouldn’t surprise me if he played sparingly during the preseason.

What excited me about Jackson at practice on Wednesday was how healthy he was. Watching him from the other side of the white fence, the former LSU Tiger looked good as new if not quicker, faster, and twitchier than before his injury.

That is a positive sign for the Panthers. Jackson didn’t do much in full-team drills and 7-on-7, so it’s obvious the team is showing caution because he needs to stay available and show more consistent play on the field.

What happens over the next few weeks will be big for No. 26. A full season of health from Jackson, and Carolina should benefit. 

New Carolina Panthers offense and player utilization

One of the things I wanted to see Wednesday was what Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown would install from a schematic standpoint. What I saw was a complete 180 from Ben McAdoo last season.

Brown was a mixed bag, in a good way. There was plenty of 11 and 12-personnel usage with singleback, under-center looks to go along with play action out of both the shotgun and on the line of scrimmage.

I liked the usage of motion that got Carolina's defense out of sorts at times. This was a big component that was missed from the Panthers' offense over the last few seasons and it was a welcomed sight. 

It looks like there is no obvious No. 1 target in the offense so far. The ball was spread out a good bit to the likes of Terrace Marshall Jr., Adam Thielen, D.J. Chark, Laviska Shenault Jr., Hayden Hurst, and Ian Thomas. Speaking of tight ends, there were good executions of screens and seam busters involving the position group.

Shenault stood out to me with how Carolina utilized him at practice. He lined up as a running back, H-back, slot, and boundary receiver, and he showcased a lot of the yards after the catch ability that made him a coveted prospect coming out of Colorado in 2020. 

Today made me quite giddy for what the Panthers offense could be in 2023.