8 biggest takeaways from the Panthers' opening week of 2025 OTAs

USA Today

01-06-2025

8 biggest takeaways from the Panthers' opening week of 2025 OTAs
After a weekend off, the Carolina Panthers are set to return to the practice field on Monday for their second and final string of organized team activities. Tomorrow's outing will mark the first of three sessions for the week, with the second coming on Tuesday, June 3 and the third on Thursday, June 5.
But before they get started, let's look back at the biggest takeaways from the Panthers' first week of OTAs . . .
The recovery of Derrick Brown moves along
Eight months after undergoing season-ending meniscus surgery, defensive lineman Derrick Brown appeared on the practice field with his helmet in hand this past Tuesday. And although he did not end up participating in team drills, the Pro Bowler's presence feels like a positive sign moving forward.
Brown talked about his recovery last month.
"Just doing what the doctors and the trainers are allowing me to do at this point. No rush," he said back on Apr. 23. "Just trying to get back and I would like to be able to be there when the team gets ready to play in September. So I'm following the protocol as is."
Carolina's young tight ends will have to step up
Unlike Brown, tight end Tommy Tremble probably isn't planning on being ready for September.
Canales revealed that Tremble, who signed a new two-year deal this spring, recently underwent back surgery.
"Tommy did have surgery on his back last week, a successful surgery," Canales stated. "We were kinda thinking about it, talking about it, looking at timelines and all that and just felt like for him . . . he's 25 years old. Let's get this thing while he's young and strong and be able to get him back on the right track. So we just decided to do that now, looking forward."
A team spokesperson later added that Tremble is expected to be rehabbing by the time training camp rolls around, putting his early-season availability into considerable doubt.
If Tremble is not good to go by Week 1, the Panthers may be looking for something extra out 2024 fourth-round pick Ja'Tavion Sanders and 2025 fifth-round pick Mitchell Evans.
Hunter Renfrow continues his comeback
Canales also spoke about veteran wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, who hasn't played an NFL down since 2023.
"You see weekly, he just makes these huge strides, just getting his feet under him," Canales said. "And I can tell too, just having coached wide receivers especially, but he's got a lot in his game. Releases, top-of-the-route setup, avoidance, different things where he can double up stuff at the top of his routes.
Renfrow, 29, missed the entire 2024 campaign due to a battle with ulcerative colitis. The Panthers signed the Myrtle Beach, S.C. native and Clemson University product in late April.
Xavier Legette looks to bounce back
Wideout Xavier Legette didn't have the finest of stretches to end his rookie campaign. But with one season of NFL ball under Legette's belt and a fellow first-round receiver now by his side, Canales is hoping for a leap out of the second-year pass catcher.
"What I see is a year into the system," he told reporters. "Just the speed that he's playing with now, with the level of comfort he has with what we're doing. When I see him smiling, I know he's in a good space. And he really has just been enjoying this offseason. Working hard. He looks big and fast.
"And I think with TMac [Tetairoa McMillan] coming into the room, again, it's just options," Canales later added. "It opens things up, it creates a little bit of balance—where the field doesn't tilt one way or the other. So you have two guys who can make it happen outside and that's a good thing."
After taking Legette with the 32nd overall pick in 2024, the Panthers nabbed McMillan with this year's eighth overall pick.
Locking horns in Houston
The Panthers, as they'd hoped, were able to set up a joint practice with the Houston Texans for later this summer. That workout will come before the teams face off in the second week of the preseason at NRG Stadium on Aug. 16.
Carolina also has a joint practice slated with the Cleveland Browns, their first opponent for exhibition play.
Early stages of the kicker competition
With Eddy Piñeiro left unsigned, the Panthers are on the hunt for a new placekicker. The two contenders for the job are veteran journeyman Matthew Wright and undrafted rookie Ryan Fitzgerald.
Special teams coordinator Tracy Smith broke down the differences between them on Wednesday.
"Matt is more experienced," Smith stated. "He's played on more NFL teams. He has a whole year of the kickoff rule he's dealt with. The box is checked. He knows what he's doing on that. He's ahead mentally on all that stuff.
"Ryan is coming straight from college. So all of the rule stuff, it's all first time out. It's practicing with an NFL team—it's completely different, the lifestyle and all those things. So he's different in that way. But also a very successful last two years in college, has a great leg.
"So we're kinda seeing pros and cons of each guy and seeing where it goes. There's no reason to really call a leader anywhere in the near future."
Wright, who has picked up 17 different stints with nine NFL teams, has converted on 55 of his 63 career field goal attempts (87.3 percent). He has also booted through 41 of his 43 extra point tries.
Fitzgerald, over his last three seasons at Florida State University, converted on 44 of his 54 field goals (80 percent) and 129 of his 130 extra points.
Rebuilding the edge
The Panthers are leaving their pass-rushing responsibilities to the youngsters.
32-year-old Jadeveon Clowney was released three weeks ago, leaving the unit without one of its 2024 sack leaders. And while defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero was thankful for Clowney's work last season, he and the organization are hoping its fresher faces will seize their new opportunities.
"We're certainly looking for everyone in that room—and really, on the entire defense, coaches included—to perform better," Evero said of the outside linebackers. "But in terms of leadership, I certainly love what Pat Jones is gonna bring to the table, what D.J. Wonnum is gonna bring to the table, DJ Johnson going into his third year, the leadership of Coach [AC] Carter as well.
"So, at the end of the day, there's opportunity for everyone in that room. There's competition for everyone in that room. There's competition all the way across our defense and we're excited about that."
Carolina signed Jones to a two-year, $15 million deal this spring. The 26-year-old is coming off a career-high 7.0 sacks and 12 quarterback hits.
They also drafted two pass rushers, Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen, on the second day of the 2025 NFL draft.
Adding another element to the offense
Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik was asked what he thinks McMillan adds to the offense.
"TMac, he does a phenomenal job of being friendly to the quarterback in every route he runs," Idzik stated. "You talk about shaving the top of routes on in-breaks to out-breaks and being a hands catcher, he does a great job in that right. And I think he's just another element to this group of guys, that when they're playing confident, you have to take advantage of defenses that are not pushing coverage towards one individual or the other.
"So, I think that's what we're most excited about. He's a true pass catcher. He's got the whole route tree under his belt that he can run and we're just trying to keep him up to speed with the rest of the guys as we push the envelope on how much they can handle."
McMillan comes in off a very productive collegiate career. He reeled in 213 receptions for 3,423 yards and 26 touchdowns during his three years at the University of Arizona.
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