Which Carolina Panthers news stories are hitting the headlines as players and staff move ever close to a pivotal training camp at Wofford College?
Good morning, Carolina Panthers fans. Another Friday is upon us, which means we are a little over two weeks away from rookies and veterans joining forces at Wofford College in Spartanburg for what promises to be a training camp full of excitement and intriguing storylines attached.
Until then, there are matters to discuss. Among the stories causing conversation recently include two new faces to Carolina's prestigious Hall of Honor, Bryce Young's mentality coming in for praise, Ikem Ekwonu's emergence, and a former head coach once again blaming everyone but himself.
Let's delve into each topic in more detail.
Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor
There was plenty of debate on social media after the Carolina Panthers released a video revealing that two new faces would be inducted into their Hall of Honor soon. Just who that'll be has yet to be determined, but fans had more than a few names in mind that were worthy of such a distinction.
2 seats just opened in the Hall of Honor. pic.twitter.com/SNgwzrdCC0
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) July 6, 2023
Among those who could be chosen is Julius Peppers. The stud defensive end remains one of the team's greatest-ever players and looks set to become a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer when up for eligibility in 2024.
Another popular choice would be Luke Kuechly, who poured his heart and soul into the Panthers before having to retire early following the 2019 campaign. And of course, Cam Newton's name also came up despite the quarterback refusing to throw in the towel on his NFL hopes as yet.
Thomas Davis, Greg Olsen, Dan Morgan, Charles Johnson, Ryan Kalil, and Muhsin Muhammad would also be worthy inductees. We wait with bated breath to see which former icons are chosen.
Carolina Panthers' best player under 25?
It was fantastic to see Ikem Ekwonu flourish after some early challenges as a rookie. The left tackle was given his NFL baptism right out of the gate by Myles Garrett against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, but he recovered well to accumulate a hugely encouraging campaign with substantial responsibilities on his shoulders.
Ekwonu looks every bit the franchise blindside protector the Carolina Panthers have craved since the days of Jordan Gross. The former first-round pick also has a legitimate quarterback to keep safe for the first time, which could bring about more in the way of consistency across the board.
The North Carolina State product received another confidence boost recently when Schuyler Callihan of Sports Illustrated named Ekwonu as Carolina's best player under 25 years old. This was ahead of Jaycee Horn, Terrace Marshall Jr., Chuba Hubbard, and Bryce Young.
"I think everyone can agree that Ickey is the most deserving of this top spot. He proved the front office right during his rookie season and competed his tail off against some of the best pass rushers the league has to offer. Ekwonu is only going to get better with time and before long, he'll be in the conversation as one of the top tackles in the NFL."Schuyler Callihan, Sports Illustrated
If Ekwonu takes another step forward with another offseason to develop, he'll become a household name. Something that could even see the edge presence become one of the league's best at the position along the way.
Carolina Panthers laud Bryce Young's intelligence
Bryce Young's processing is one of the elite traits that set him apart during the strenuous pre-draft evaluation phase. The quarterback constantly blew away those in power with his understanding of schematic concepts - something that's already come to the fore since his arrival to the Carolina Panthers as the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Young's poise, immaculate preparation techniques, and overall commitment have been enough for Carolina to almost completely open their playbook according to Dan Orlovsky of ESPN. This is almost unheard of for a rookie and something that could ensure the signal-caller hits the ground running in 2023.
This sentiment was echoed by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN during a recent appearance on Get Up. The insider stated via USA Today Sports that Young's been a "mental savant" since joining the team, which is especially impressive considering how complex Carolina's offense under Frank Reich and Thomas Brown is to install.
"I was told his mental aptitude has been as advertised. That’s what he was known for during the draft process, as a mental savant. I was told with the Panthers’ offense is a hard install. It’s got shades of the Los Angeles Rams system from new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown. No new quarterback bats 100 in learning it in the first month, but I was told he was pretty darn close to 100 percent. So, the Panthers really believe that as long as he has command of the offense, they’re in good shape. They don’t need him to be a hero because this is a really good emerging roster."Bryce Young via USA Today Sports
This is nothing new to those who've followed Young's career. There will be a few bumps in the road one suspects, but the Heisman Trophy winner has done nothing to dispel the notion he was the right guy for Carolina atop the draft.
Former Carolina Panthers head coach throws more shade
He's at it again.
Yes, despite being fired after Week 5 of the 2022 season, Matt Rhule is still throwing shade at the Carolina Panthers and offering no accountability for the complete incompetence that enveloped his reign of terror. This is almost unbelievable considering how he's still getting paid millions from a franchise he dragged into the football abyss over three seasons at the helm.
Rhule described his experience in Carolina as going through a fire during comments via Pete Thamel of ESPN. Something he's keen to avoid again after accepting an offer to become Nebraska's head coach.
"Going through the fire in Carolina was a purifying fire that melts away all the impurities, all the hubris, all the worrying about stuff that doesn't matter. I learned very much to worry about what matters. I have a focus and a desire in me. I watched what my kids had to go through in Carolina, and we're not going to let 'em go through that here."Matt Rhule via ESPN
Of course, sympathy for Rhule is non-existent across the Panthers fanbase and perhaps even some players, too. No proper development, suspect evaluation, and blaming everyone but himself for the team's failings was not the right way to go about things during a marriage that was doomed to fail almost from the start.
Besides, watching Rhule's football product was far worse for fans than anything the coach experienced. One only has to see how the Panthers have thrived without him to see that he was the biggest complication of all.