The Carolina Panthers cannot be accused of sitting on their hands this offseason. More big changes arrived across the franchise after a two-win campaign that saw another head coach let go. Relaying the foundations was the primary task for Dan Morgan during his first recruitment period at the helm - something he accomplished effectively in difficult circumstances.
Dave Canales - the enthusiastic head coach tasked with spearheading this exciting project - seems confident things can improve quickly. Not many around the national media are expecting this scenario to become reality, which only adds more fuel to the motivational fire in pursuit of altering perceptions.
There is a long-term plan in place, which is something. However, there are high stakes for some on the roster who come into the upcoming campaign with significant questions to answer.
With this in mind, here are five Panthers players who could be entering the last chance saloon in 2024.
Ikem Ekwonu - Carolina Panthers OT
Ikem Ekwonu is getting another opportunity to prove himself as a franchise left tackle. The Carolina Panthers made a substantial investment by spending the No. 6 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft on the edge presence. They need to make it work despite the player displaying notable confidence issues last time around.
The former North Carolina State star looked technically flawed and devoid of inspiration during the previous campaign. Ekwonu struggled to cope with speed rushers and seemed incapable of picking up even the slightest stunts and shifts. His brute power wasn't best suited to the zone-blocking concepts implemented by Frank Reich throughout a year to forget.
All hope is not lost with Ekwonu - far from it. He's got the physical tools to become more impactful and the presence of Damien Lewis on his left-side interior should assist greatly. That said, Dave Canales also adopts zone blocking frequently, so whether this causes him further complications remains to be seen.
If Ekwonu cannot improve and quarterback Bryce Young suffers as a result, the Panthers might be forced into drastic measures during or after the 2024 season.
Austin Corbett - Carolina Panthers C
Things looked uncertain for Austin Corbett after the Carolina Panthers shelled out big money to acquire Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis in free agency. The new additions will form a potentially productive starting guard tandem, leaving the former second-round pick with the daunting task of switching to the center position.
The Panthers gave Corbett a tremendous vote of confidence after deciding not to acquire any major reinforcements once Bradley Bozeman became surplus to requirements. He's got the talent, but a lack of experience at the anchor spot coupled with some troubling injury complications over the last two seasons mean this gamble could realistically go either way.
Corbett seems confident this switch could be the making of him. There's also plenty of motivation for the veteran to make the position his own entering a contract year. If he performs well and the money works, one couldn't rule out the possibility of an extended stay.
If Corbett fluffs his lines, the Panthers could cut this experiment short quickly. However, their lack of dependable centers behind the ex-Nevada college standout would no doubt complicate matters in this scenario.
Tommy Tremble - Carolina Panthers TE
Despite the Carolina Panthers drafting Ja'Tavion Sanders at No. 101 overall, it would be a shock if Tommy Tremble didn't get extended reps next season. Dan Morgan and Dave Canales have both spoken highly of the tight end this offseason. They also believe there is more to come from the player with extra responsibilities on his shoulders.
Tremble has been something of an enigma over his first three NFL seasons. Something was preventing the previous coaching regimes from involving him heavily despite some eye-catching athletic traits, so he must capitalize on whatever opportunities come his way with Canales leading the charge.
The Panthers will also get Sanders involved immediately as a pass-catching asset. Tremble excels as a blocker, which works in his favor in pursuit of making the No. 1 position his own next time around.
The former third-round pick out of Notre Dame boasts plenty of urgency to make improvements in 2024. Tremble is entering the final year of his rookie deal as a relatively unknown quantity. While that is a damning indictment of previous coaches, it doesn't detract from the need to alleviate concerns when competitive games return.
Shy Tuttle - Carolina Panthers DL
After an underwhelming first season with the Carolina Panthers, defensive lineman Shy Tuttle is getting another chance to prove his worth as a productive starter. Unless there is a drastic shift in course regarding the team's plans for free-agent signing A'Shawn Robinson, this will once again be at the nose tackle spot.
Tuttle didn't look particularly well suited to anchor duties last season. Having Robinson opposite Derrick Brown should help, but it's another defensive gamble from general manager Dan Morgan that could go either way.
Ejiro Evero seems confident in Tuttle's abilities with an improved supporting cast across his 3-4 base defensive front. The Panthers also avoided the obvious temptation to bring in competition during free agency or the 2024 NFL Draft, so the pressure is off in that sense.
Of course, there is still time for that to change given how Morgan plans to be aggressive on the waiver wire. Tuttle will get the first shot, but the leash is a lot shorter. Anything less than major improvements would see him become a primary cut candidate in 2025.
Jaycee Horn - Carolina Panthers CB
Nobody is disputing Jaycee Horn's talent. He's one of the league's best outside coverage cornerbacks when fit and firing on all cylinders. The Carolina Panthers were right to pick up his fifth-year option and are depending on him heavily to produce the goods next season.
However, there are concerns. Horn has missed a ton of football since entering the league as the No. 8 overall selection in 2021. A serious hamstring tear restricted the former South Carolina stud to six games last season, taking his tally to just 22 contests in three years. This has to change if the Panthers want to stand any chance of making improvements next time around.
The Panthers' cornerback room remains a significant need. If Horn suffers more complications on the health front, it'll be nothing short of catastrophic. He looks ready to rock based on early workouts, but his track record isn't great, to put it mildly.
Should Horn miss more time next season, it might be the tipping point for Carolina. Triggering his option not only provides extra financial flexibility before an extension but also allows them to potentially seek trade interest in the player if dependability remains an issue.
That's how high the stakes are for Horn in 2024.