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New York Times
11 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Seven Panthers minicamp takeaways: Bryce Young's growth, tough WR decisions, secondary help
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After Carolina Panthers second-year coach Dave Canales turned players loose at the end of last week's mandatory minicamp, offensive linemen Ikem Ekwonu, Robert Hunt and Ja'Tyre Carter sprinted off the field, hopped into a golf cart and were on their way to a 5 1/2-week break. Canales hopes players will do more things like sprinting and less lounging between now and reporting day for training camp in the third week of July. Advertisement 'The biggest thing they have to realize is your vacation was after the season. You had three months off,' Canales said following the final minicamp practice. 'We're in a ramp now to training camp. So with these five weeks, you have a week of kind of reloading, then you've got to just kick back up into your training and build off of the strength and the fitness that we have.' That lean at the end 🤣 — Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) June 12, 2025 After a five-win season in Canales' first year and a productive spring, he doesn't want to start from scratch in training camp, which will feature joint practices with the Cleveland Browns in Charlotte and the Texans in Houston. 'So that was my biggest message — readiness for camp. You can't count on camp to get you in shape,' Canales added. 'The nature of it, the mandatory days off, we have to be able to take advantage of every single practice.' As players scattered to their summer homes, vacation destinations and the gym (Canales hopes), The Athletic looks at seven takeaways from Panthers' OTAs and minicamp. Not to make too much of nine practices in May and June in shorts and helmets, but the spring sessions seemed to have a little more juice than during Canales' first year in Carolina. No one was supposed to be hitting, but a couple of players ended up on the ground. There were a couple of mini-skirmishes and lots of trash talking, much of it coming from Jaycee Horn and Chuba Hubbard. The intensity extended to the coaching staff: Canales showed up to last Wednesday's media session with a raspy voice. 'It feels like camp. A lot of meetings, a lot of practice, kind of yelling and chasing guys,' he said. 'Just trying to add to the energy of it.' Canales planned to drink some honey-infused lemon water to soothe his throat. And while Thursday's final practice was a bit calmer, it still resulted in a scrap between reserve offensive lineman Brandon Walton and backup edge rusher Thomas Incoom. Advertisement Quarterback Bryce Young also got into the jawing, showing off a side the public hasn't seen from the third-year quarterback. It was just a year ago that Jadeveon Clowney called Young a 'quiet guy' who could stand to play with more energy. Veteran wideout Adam Thielen viewed the trash talking and spirited practices — from Young and everyone else — as progress. 'I think it just talks about our team. We're a bunch of guys that want it. I think guys are finally sick of being the same old, same old Carolina Panthers,' Thielen said. 'I think we want to get back to what they did here in the past in 2015 and some of those other years when they had deep playoff runs and had the crowd involved and the city hyped up. We haven't had that.' Young talked this spring about the benefits of entering a second season in the same offense following a tumultuous rookie year that included what felt like a new play caller every few weeks. Young's confidence and comfort zone in Canales' system were evident during an 11-on-11, red-zone drill Wednesday, when he carved up the first-team defense. Young twice found Xavier Legette in the end zone, then ended the day by finding David Moore in a crowd of defenders for a 2-point conversion. Canales even threw in a trick play as he continues to shape his offense around Young's strengths. 'I think the pace of our offensive development, evolution is growing at the pace of Bryce,' Canales said. 'And he's showing such great mastery of what we're doing that he's allowing us to really push the envelope and do more things.' Young wasn't perfect. The 2023 No. 1 pick tossed a couple of interceptions last week, including a leaping pick by Mike Jackson on Thursday in what was a better day for the defense. But Young picked up where he left off at the end of 2024, which should bode well for '25. Canales said it's too soon to name a leader in the kicking competition. But Fitzgerald, an undrafted free agent from Florida State, appears to have the edge on veteran Matthew Wright, based on how each looked during the practices open to the media. After a tough first week in rainy and windy conditions, Fitzgerald was 9-for-10 on field goals on the skinny goal posts over the next two practices with reporters present. Advertisement Meanwhile, Wright went 3-for-5 last Wednesday, missing on both of his longer attempts. Wright's last try — from about 52 yards — was both wide right and a bit short. 'Too early to tell,' Canales said of the kicking battle. 'Let's get a real rush out there. Let's have them kicking in games, and we'll be able to make the decision.' There's no reason not to let this play out through the first couple of preseason games. But the early returns favor Fitzgerald. There were signs during the rookie minicamp that this could be a different draft class. Just ask the employees at the uptown Charlotte hotel who poked their heads into a meeting room where first-year edge rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen were reviewing their defensive responsibilities while using chairs as offensive linemen. Canales said in April he had run through hundreds of simulations in mock drafts and never landed on one in which the Panthers took wideout Tetairoa McMillan, Scourton and Umanmielen with the first three picks. McMillan missed the final two minicamp practices with a leg issue, but Scourton and Umanmielen received a lot of work at a position where a couple of veterans were sidelined, and Clowney is no longer on the team. Among the other rookies, former Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans saw his learning curve accelerated after Tommy Tremble's back surgery last month. Jimmy Horn was limited with a hamstring injury, but the ex-Colorado wideout, with his speed and return ability, will be someone to watch at training camp. 'I think that this is one of the best rookie groups I've been around in terms of their attention to detail, their study habits, their body prep,' Canales said. 'They're doing things that six-, seven-, eight-year veterans do before and after practice. They're curious. It's a curious bunch.' Advertisement The Panthers went into Week 1 last year with only five receivers on the active roster, then brought Jalen Coker up from the practice squad a few weeks later after Thielen was injured at Las Vegas. Canales hasn't said how many wideouts he expects to keep this year, but thinks the competition for the last couple of spots will be 'very difficult.' Thielen agrees. 'For the first time since I've been here, you look around the room and I don't know who's gonna make the team. And that's a great thing,' he said. Thielen, McMillan and Legette are locks. Horn likely is, too, given that the sixth-round pick could well be the punt returner. That leaves veterans Hunter Renfrow, Dan Chisena and Moore competing with younger players like Coker and undrafted free agent Jacolby George fighting for the final spot or two. 'Special teams is going to be such a huge piece of that puzzle. How can these guys help us in the coverage units? Can they help us as a returner?' Canales said. 'That's the part where we get to challenge our guys to find a role, take this thing seriously. 'You're not here just to catch passes. We only get so many helmets on game day, so we need all of you guys to contribute in different ways.'' There's a good chance general manager Dan Morgan adds to the defensive backfield. But the Panthers aren't inclined to pursue free-agent cornerbacks Jaire Alexander or Jalen Ramsey, who could be headed to a reunion with the Los Angeles Rams. Still, improving the corner depth would be advisable. The two safeties the Panthers had in for visits in March — Julian Blackmon and Marcus Williams — both remain unsigned but figure to be in camps at some point in August. If it's between those two, Blackmon is the better choice after ranking 23rd among 171 safeties in Pro Football Focus' coverage grades last year, when Williams ranked 162nd. Another potential option could be free-agent safety Justin Simmons, who led the league with six interceptions with Denver in 2022 when Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero held the same title with the Broncos. Simmons, who had two picks in 16 starts last year in Atlanta, also has been linked to the reigning Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles. Advertisement Meanwhile, a couple of the Panthers' second-year defensive backs had solid showings. Cornerback Shemar Bartholomew, claimed off waivers from the New York Jets last August, had a pair of interceptions while Chau Smith-Wade received reps at corner, nickel and safety. Horn was impressed with the jump Smith-Wade made in the spring. 'I think he's been the most impressive player from OTAs just 'cause how fast he got the defense in one year,' Horn said. 'He's out there making the calls for the safeties. … He's lining up everywhere. He's just making a lot of plays. And the communication's the biggest thing for me — a second-year player communicating like that.' The Panthers weren't taking any chances with some key players, erring on the side of caution when McMillan got kicked in the leg while going down for a ball in Tuesday's first practice. McMillan had swelling in his leg, but Canales said the first-round pick was 'fine.' Outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum was held out of team drills with a back issue. Derrick Brown, the Pro Bowl defensive end, was limited to walk-throughs and light side work coming off September knee surgery. Brown plans to stay in Charlotte this summer to continue his rehab with the hopes of being ready for the start of camp. Tremble could start camp on the physically unable to perform list, while edge rusher Amare Barno's status is also in question after a clean-out procedure on his knee. But the Panthers appeared to avoid any serious injuries before the summer break. (Top photo of Bryce Young: Jim Dedmon / Imagn Images)
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Watch: Panthers stars show off their acting chops in hilarious schedule release video
Watch: Panthers stars show off their acting chops in hilarious schedule release video The NFL's annual schedule release has become the Super Bowl for every organization's social media team. And like they have in years past, the Carolina Panthers' behind-the-scenes squad decided to turn their presentation over to the players themselves. Watch as guard Robert Hunt, wide receiver Xavier Legette, cornerback Jaycee Horn and running back Chuba Hubbars star in Carolina's hilarious 2025 schedule release video . . . Panthers 2025 preseason schedule Week 1 : vs. Cleveland Browns (Friday, Aug. 8 at 7:00 p.m. ET) : vs. Cleveland Browns (Friday, Aug. 8 at 7:00 p.m. ET) Week 2 : at Houston Texans (Saturday, Aug. 16 at 1:00 p.m. ET) : at Houston Texans (Saturday, Aug. 16 at 1:00 p.m. ET) Week 3: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Thursday, Aug. 21 at 1:00 p.m. ET) Panthers 2025 regular-season schedule Week 1 : at Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, Sept. 7 at 1:00 p.m. ET) : at Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, Sept. 7 at 1:00 p.m. ET) Week 2 : at Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, Sept. 14 at 4:05 p.m. ET) : at Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, Sept. 14 at 4:05 p.m. ET) Week 3 : vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, Sept. 21 at 1:00 p.m. ET) : vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, Sept. 21 at 1:00 p.m. ET) Week 4 : at New England Patriots (Sunday, Sept. 28 at 1:00 p.m. ET) : at New England Patriots (Sunday, Sept. 28 at 1:00 p.m. ET) Week 5 : vs. Miami Dolphins (Sunday, Oct. 5 at 1:00 p.m. ET) : vs. Miami Dolphins (Sunday, Oct. 5 at 1:00 p.m. ET) Week 6 : vs. Dallas Cowboys (Sunday, Oct. 12 at 1:00 p.m. ET) : vs. Dallas Cowboys (Sunday, Oct. 12 at 1:00 p.m. ET) Week 7 : at New York Jets (Sunday, Oct. 19 at 1:00 p.m. ET) : at New York Jets (Sunday, Oct. 19 at 1:00 p.m. ET) Week 8 : vs. Buffalo Bills (Sunday, Oct. 26 at 1:00 p.m. ET) : vs. Buffalo Bills (Sunday, Oct. 26 at 1:00 p.m. ET) Week 9 : at Green Bay Packers (Sunday, Nov. 2 at 1:00 p.m. ET) : at Green Bay Packers (Sunday, Nov. 2 at 1:00 p.m. ET) Week 10 : vs. New Orleans Saints (Sunday, Nov. 9 at 1:00 p.m. ET) : vs. New Orleans Saints (Sunday, Nov. 9 at 1:00 p.m. ET) Week 11 : at Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, Nov. 16 at 1:00 p.m. ET) : at Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, Nov. 16 at 1:00 p.m. ET) Week 12 : at San Francisco 49ers (Monday, Nov. 24, 8:15 p.m. ET) : at San Francisco 49ers (Monday, Nov. 24, 8:15 p.m. ET) Week 13 : vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, Nov. 30 at 1:00 p.m. ET) : vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, Nov. 30 at 1:00 p.m. ET) Week 14 : Bye : Bye Week 15 : at New Orleans Saints (Sunday, Dec. 14 at 4:25 p.m. ET) : at New Orleans Saints (Sunday, Dec. 14 at 4:25 p.m. ET) Week 16 : vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday, Dec. 21 at 1:00 p.m. ET) : vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday, Dec. 21 at 1:00 p.m. ET) Week 17 : vs. Seattle Seahawks (TBD) : vs. Seattle Seahawks (TBD) Week 18: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TBD) Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
Fox News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Maine Democrats respond to SCOTUS appeal over Rep Laurel Libby's censure for trans athlete post
Maine state Rep. Laurel Libby is seeking U.S. Supreme Court intervention in her lawsuit to overturn her censure for a social media post that identified a minor trans athlete. Now, the Democrat defendants have filed their response to the high court. The defendants, Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau and House Clerk Robert Hunt, represented by Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey, defended the decision to censure Libby for the February post in their response on Thursday afternoon. "Like other censures of Maine House members, the censure resolution required Rep. Libby to apologize for her conduct—not recant her views. Rep. Libby has steadfastly refused to comply with this modest punishment, which is designed to restore the integrity and reputation of the body," the response read. "Her refusal places her in breach of a centuries-old rule of the Maine House, Rule 401(11), that Rep. Libby previously agreed, along with all of her House colleagues, would govern House proceedings. Rule 401(11) provides that a member found by the body to be in breach of its rules may not participate in floor debates or vote on matters before the full House until they have 'made satisfaction,' i.e., here, apologized for their breach." When the Democrat majority in Maine's House of Representatives voted to censure Libby on Feb. 25, it originally offered to restore her voting and speaking rights if she apologized for the post. But Libby told them she wouldn't apologize. Libby previously told Fox News Digital that Fecteau called her the day after she made the social media post, which identified a trans athlete who won a girls' pole vault competition, on Feb. 18. "He found it objectionable and asked me to take it down. At the same time, I asked him if he would support Maine girls and support policy that stopped discrimination against Maine young women in sports, and he declined to answer," Libby said. "The main criticism all along from the Democrats is that it was a picture of a minor." Libby added that no one from the trans athlete's family or high school reached out to her about the post. She has also argued the athlete was already publicized in other media. The Portland Press Herald published a recap of the event, mentioning the athlete. Libby filed her lawsuit against Fecteau to have the censure overturned on March 11. But Rhode Island U.S. District Court Judge Melissa DuBose ruled against Libby in her case on April 22. DuBose, appointed by former President Joe Biden in January, ended up presiding over the case after every district judge in Maine refused to take it. Judges John C. Nivison, John A. Woodcock, Lance E. Walker, Karen F. Wolf, Stacey D. Neumann and Nancy Torresen signed recusal orders shortly after the case was initially filed. No reason was given. DuBose ended up with the case and ruled in favor of Fecteau. Then the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals also ruled against Libby. So now Libby is seeking U.S. Supreme Court intervention. Meanwhile, the U.S. Justice Department announced a lawsuit against the State of Maine for its continued defiance of Trump's executive order to keep biological males out of girls' and women's sports and for violations of Title IX. Libby attended the press conference alongside Attorney General Pam Bondi and Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon. Two school districts in Maine, Maine's Regional School Unit No. 24 and MSAD No. 70, have taken matters into their own hands and amended their local sports gender eligibility policies to ban transgender athletes from girls' competitions, aligning with Libby and Trump. Attention to the issue was magnified this past week after a trans athlete won multiple events at a girls' track meet. A trans-identifying athlete who competed for North Yarmouth Academy in Yarmouth, Maine, in the Poland-NYA-Yarmouth-Seacoast meet, won the 1600-meter race with a time of 5:57.27, blowing away the second-place runner who finished with a time of 6:16.32. In the 800-meter event, the trans athlete had a closer first-place finish with a time of 2:43.31, just around a second better than the second-place finisher with a time of 2:44.87. A survey by the American Parents Coalition found that out of about 600 registered Maine voters, 63% said school sports participation should be based on biological sex, and 66% agreed it is "only fair to restrict women's sports to biological women." The poll also found that 60% of residents would support a ballot measure limiting participation in women's and girls' sports to biological females. This included 64% of independents and 66% of parents with kids under age 18. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Fox Sports
10-03-2025
- Business
- Fox Sports
Does spending big in NFL free agency work? Here's what the past 10 years say
When the clock strikes noon ET on Monday, hope will spring eternal for 32 NFL fan bases, as they wait for their team to make splashy moves in NFL free agency. In the past few offseasons, there have been several teams that have spent at least $200 million in free agency, trying to bolster their roster with the goal of reaching the playoffs and beyond. There is a set salary cap for NFL teams every year, but not every team reaches that limit; this year it's $279.2 million. Teams with more offseason money may have restructured a current player's contract or have unused cap space from the season prior (teams are required to spend 89% of the cap per year minimum and any unused cap space rolls over to the next year). That said, does spending a lot of money actually work? Let's take a look at the teams that have spent the most money in free agency over the past 10 years, via Spotrac. 2024: Carolina Panthers ($259.96 million) Richest contracts: G Robert Hunt (five years, $100 million), G Damien Lewis (four years, $53 million) 2024 record: 5-12 (three-win increase) After finishing with the league's worst record in 2023 and no first-round pick to show for it, the Panthers turned to free agency to try to fix their problems. It worked out a bit, increasing their win total by three and playing a bit more respectable football down the stretch of the 2024 season. Unlike some other teams on this list, Carolina didn't hand out many lucrative contracts. Hunt's and Lewis' deals were the only ones that eclipsed the $50-million mark in total money, as the Panthers looked to improve their offensive line in front of second-year quarterback Bryce Young. As a result, the Panthers went from 30th in sacks allowed to 11th. Next top spenders in 2024: Atlanta Falcons ($259.62 million), Tennessee Titans ($238.75 million) 2023: Denver Broncos ($259.48 million) Richest contracts: OT Mike McGlinchey (five years, $87.5 million), G Ben Powers (four years, $52 million), DE Zach Allen (three years, $47.5 million) 2023 record: 8-9 (three-win increase) Head coach Sean Payton overhauled the Broncos' roster in his first offseason in Denver, spending big money on the trenches following a lousy 5-12 year in 2022. Quarterback Russell Wilson did play better in his second season in Denver, but it wasn't good enough to help him get a third year in the Mile High City. The offensive line additions marginally improved Wilson's protection as well, going from 32nd to 27th in sacks allowed that year. Defensively, though, Denver might have gotten one of the best value contracts that offseason with Allen. The defensive end was named second-team All-Pro in 2024, recording 8.5 sacks and an NFL-high 40 QB hits — all while many other top-end defensive linemen and edge rushers are earning deals upward of $30 million per year. He certainly was a big reason why the Broncos made the playoffs in 2024. Next top spenders in 2023: New Orleans Saints ($219.59 million), Falcons ($218.4 million) 2022: Jacksonville Jaguars ($272.12 million) Richest contracts: WR Christian Kirk (four years, $72 million), G Brandon Scherff (three years, $49.5 million), CB Darious Williams (three years, $30 million), LB Foye Oluokun (three years, $45 million) 2022 record: 9-8 (six-win increase) After an embarrassing 3-14 season in 2021, the Jaguars sought to make life easier for QB Trevor Lawrence in his second year in the league. The signing of Kirk, which was the richest for a wide receiver in NFL history at the time, paid off immediately when he brought in 84 receptions for 1,103 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022. Scherff also helped the Jaguars finish in the top five in the fewest sacks allowed that year. Those additions spearheaded a dramatic one-year transformation for the Jaguars, who won the AFC South and a playoff game, but they weren't able to keep the momentum going. They missed the playoffs in the following two years and traded Kirk in a cap-clearing move ahead of free agency this year. Next top spenders in 2022: Buffalo Bills ($191.57 million), New York Jets ($177 million) 2021: New England Patriots ($291.45 million) Richest contracts: LB Matthew Judon (four years, $56 million), TE Jonnu Smith (four years, $50 million), TE Hunter Henry (three years, $37.5 million), WR Nelson Agholor (two years, $26 million), S Jalen Mills (four years, $24 million) 2021 record: 10-7 (three-win increase) The Patriots are set to have the most cap space in the league when free agency opens on Monday. Their offseason in 2021 can serve as cautious optimism. Then-head coach Bill Belichick and New England spent the most money in free agency in 2021, making several transactions to round out the roster after missing the playoffs for the first time in 12 years. Many of those moves, along with a solid rookie season from QB Mac Jones, helped the Patriots win three more games than they did in 2020. They also made the playoffs in 2021 as Judon, Henry and Bourne had standout years. However, the contracts they gave out that offseason made it difficult to add more pieces in 2022, and most of the deals the Patriots gave out wound up being duds. They went 8-9 in the following season before two consecutive 4-13 finishes, only getting a one-year bump from their eye-popping offseason. Next top spenders in 2021: San Francisco 49ers ($200.99 million), Jaguars ($166.51 million) 2020: Miami Dolphins ($239.18 million) Richest contracts: CB Byron Jones (five years, $82.5 million), LB Kyle Van Noy (four years, $51 million), DE Shaq Lawson (three years, $30 million), OL Ereck Flowers (three years, $30 million) 2020 record: 10-6 (five-win increase) The Dolphins gutted their roster during the 2019 season, which led them to get a top-five pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. With that pick, they selected QB Tua Tagovailoa. A month before drafting their quarterback of the future, the Dolphins replenished their roster with talent via free agency. Miami dished out several deals in 2020, including a pact that made Jones the highest-paid cornerback in the game at the time. Miami saw a quick turnaround following its pricey offseason, but the players it signed didn't play major roles. Jones had an aveerage year, recording two interceptions. Van Noy and Lawson weren't bad, either. However, they were both released after a season. Flowers was also released at the end of the year. Those contracts didn't hamper the Dolphins too much, though. The Dolphins went 9-8 in 2021 before making the postseason the next two years. Next top spenders in 2020: Cincinnati Bengals ($134.79 million), Las Vegas Raiders ($129.31 million) 2019: New York Jets ($204.54 million) Richest contracts: LB CJ Mosley (five years, $85 million), RB Le'Veon Bell (four years, $52 million), WR Jamison Crowder (three years, $28.5 million) 2019 record: 7-9 record (three-win increase) The Jets sought to build around QB Sam Darnold as he entered his second season, making a pair of notable signings on offense and another on their defense in 2019. They hit big on one of their major signings but struck out in the other. Mosley's 2019 season ended after two games, but he was an integral part on one of the league's top defenses from 2021-23. Bell, meanwhile, rushed for just 3.2 yards per carry and struggled to regain his All-Pro form after sitting out a year in 2018. The signings gave the Jets a brief jolt in 2019, but they had the league's second-worst record a year later. Next top spenders in 2019: Green Bay Packers ($185.63 million), Bills ($183.33 million) 2018: Chicago Bears ($233.57 million) Richest contracts: CB Kyle Fuller (four years, $56 million), WR Allen Robinson (three years, $42 million), TE Trey Burton (four years, $32 million), WR Taylor Gabriel (four years, $26 million) 2018 record: 12-4 (seven-win increase) In a similar theme to other high-spending teams, the Bears looked to maximize their cap situation with Mitch Trubisky entering Year 2 of his rookie contract. They gave their young quarterback weapons while strengthening their defense, matching the Packers' offer sheet to the transition-tagged Fuller before trading for Khalil Mack later that offseason. Those deals propelled the Bears to a division title for the first time in eight years, with Trubisky earning a Pro Bowl nod with the help of Robinson, but another one of their free-agent signings, kicker Cody Parkey, cost them the postseason when he infamously double-doinked the potential game-winning kick in their wild-card round loss. The 2018 season marked the high point of Bears football in recent memory. They haven't had a winning record since, though they did squeak into the postseason in 2020. Next top spenders in 2018: Jets ($202.39 million), Titans ($146.07 million) 2017: Jacksonville Jaguars ($148.95 million) Richest contracts: CB A.J. Bouye (five years, $62.5 million), DT Calais Campbell (four years, $60 million), S Barry Church (four years, $26 million) 2017 record: 10-6 (seven-win increase) Following some defensive struggles in previous seasons, the Jaguars opted to invest heavily in their defense during the 2017 offseason. That decision paid off. Their defense finished second in the league in yards and points allowed while ranking first in several other defensive categories. That unit led them to the AFC Championship Game, where they were minutes away from a Super Bowl appearance before losing to the Patriots. Even though Campbell remained one of the league's best defensive tackles, the signings in Jacksonville didn't keep the Jaguars as a contender for long. They slowly fell off over the next three seasons, missing the playoffs each year. Next top spenders in 2017: 49ers ($149.8 million), Bears ($133.11 million) 2016: Jacksonville Jaguars ($230.04 million) 2016 record: 3-13 (two-win decrease) Richest contracts: DT Malik Jackson (five years, $85.5 million), RB Chris Ivory (five years, $32 million), S Tashaun Gipson (five years, $35.5 million) A year before spending top-end money on a few top-end defensive players, the Jaguars spent even more money trying to round out the roster while quarterback Blake Bortles was still on his rookie deal. That plan didn't work out in 2016, with Gus Bradley getting fired late in the year en route to finishing with one of the worst records in football. Next top spenders in 2016: New York Giants ($213.81 million), Oakland Raiders ($156.13 million) 2015: New York Jets ($182.83 million) 2015 record: 10-6 (six-win increase) Richest contracts: CB Darrelle Revis (five years, $70 million), CB Antonio Cromartie (four years, $32 million), CB Buster Skrine (four years, $25 million) The Jets opted to bring back a franchise icon during the 2015 offseason, along with another star player from their franchise's past, as they remade their secondary. They also traded for wide receiver Brandon Marshall that same offseason, making splashy additions on both sides of the ball. Those moves ushered in a drastic turnaround in 2015, when the Jets won 10 games and journeyman QB Ryan Fitzpatrick had a career year. However, they lost in the final week of the regular season and missed the playoffs, marking the closest they've been to snapping their playoff drought that's now at 14 seasons. Next top spenders in 2015: Jaguars ($176.45 million), Dolphins ($155.45 million) Common trends and takeaways Except for the 2016 Jaguars, the team that spent the most money in free agency increased their win total by at least three in the following season. However, seven of those eight teams saw their win total decrease in the following season. The 2024 Panthers' free-agent class is still pending. Of the top three spenders in each free agency class, only two (2017 Jaguars and 2019 Packers) reached the conference championship that same year. None reached the Super Bowl that same season. Only four of the teams that have spent the most money in free agency have gone on to make the playoffs in the same year over the last 10 seasons. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? 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USA Today
26-02-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Bears HC Ben Johnson praises Panthers as blueprint for OL construction
Bears HC Ben Johnson praises Panthers as blueprint for OL construction Ben Johnson may not have liked what he saw from the Carolina Panthers when they were in hot pursuit of him in 2023 and 2024. He does, however, like what he's seeing there now. The new Chicago Bears head coach spoke with reporters from the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday. He was asked about having to reconstruct his offensive line, undoubtedly the greatest area of need for the team. His answer? Well, we can look over to Carolina for that. "Yeah, I think it's been done before," the Charleston, S.C. native replied. "I think there's a number of teams that did that last year. The Panthers come to mind. They went out in free agency and got a couple top guards and really changed the dynamic of their offense, and you saw them click in there in the second half of the season once they started to really gel. There's no question that you can change the dynamic of a room just like that." The Panthers changed the dynamic of their room by devoting over $150 million to two interior linemen right out of the gate last spring—as they signed right guard Robert Hunt to a five-year, $100 million deal and left guard Damien Lewis to a four-year, $53 million deal. Hunt and Lewis helped form the most formidable offensive front the organization has fielded in quite some time, as Carolina finished with Pro Football Focus' 12th-best pass-blocking efficiency rating (85.4). The group also opened up a career campaign for running back Chuba Hubbard, who became just the second player in franchise history to record at least 1,100 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns and 40 receptions in a season. So it's certainly safe to say that the hog mollies have put the league on notice.
