As the Carolina Panthers close out their OTA practices this week and prepare for next week’s mandatory minicamp, it seems like a good time for a little spring cleaning. Or something.
In this case, that means dusting off what’s become an annual, pre-training camp column — a look at 10 returning players who need to step up if Dave Canales and his staff are going to be competitive in their first season.
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We’ll roll that story out in the next week. But before that, it might be interesting and instructive — hopefully at least one of the two — to revisit last year’s list and see how things shook out. Considering five of the 10 players are no longer on the roster, it’s safe to say not everyone heeded The Athletic’s call to step up, show off and help out.
10. Cade Mays, OL
What we wrote last spring: “Considering both starting guards are coming off surgeries — Austin Corbett (ACL) won’t be ready for the start of the season — Mays could be an important piece up front in the early going. The Panthers brought in some other interior linemen, signing former Texans guard Justin McCrayand drafting ex-NC State lineman Chandler Zavala in the fourth round.”
What happened: The Panthers didn’t only need reinforcements at guard for the start of the year, but all season. With Brady Christensen going down in Week 1 with a season-ending biceps injury and Corbett playing in only four games before sustaining a different knee injury, the Panthers cycled through seven left guards and eight right guards in 2023. Mays was part of that turnstile with five starts, including three weeks in a row in December. Mays remains on the team, but it’s hard to envision much of a role for him after GM Dan Morgan significantly upgraded the position with big-dollar free agents Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis.
Did he step up? Not exactly, nor did any of the backup guards by and large.
9. Brandon Smith, LB
What we wrote last spring: “Scott Fitterer drafted the Penn State product in the fourth round for his traits more than his college production. Some members of the former staff wanted Smith to play with more tenacity. Maybe playing in a new scheme for new coaches will help Smith take a step in his development.”
What happened: After playing mostly special teams for the Panthers as a rookie, Smith was waived during final cuts. The Virginia native joined the Eagles’ practice squad in October and was active for two games, recording one assisted tackle in a win against the Giants. He’s still on the Eagles’ roster, albeit well down the depth chart.
Did he step up? In a word … no.
GO DEEPERCarolina Panthers 2024 schedule: No prime-time dates for Dave Canales in Year 18. Laviska Shenault, WR
What we wrote last spring: “There still could be a place for Shenault, whose running ability, on jet sweeps and after the catch, expands an intriguing skill set. Shenault could also factor into the return game after averaging 27.3 yards on three kick returns in 2022.”
What happened: Frank Reich and Thomas Brown had a role carved out for Shenault that included lining him up in the backfield on occasion. But the injury bug kept biting Shenault, who missed nine games because of a pair of separate ankle injuries. Shenault, who caught all 10 passes he was targeted on, finished the year on injured reserve and was replaced by Ihmir Smith-Marsette as the Panthers’ gadget guy. Shenault signed a one-year, prove-it deal with Seattle in April.
Did he step up? The injuries made that a tough task.
After becoming the Panthers’ starter in Week 6, Chuba Hubbard totaled five games of at least 80 rushing yards, including a season-best 104 yards with two TDs in Week 12 against Tampa Bay. (Kim Klement Neitzel / USA Today)
7. Chuba Hubbard, RB
What we wrote last spring: “Instead of backing up Christian McCaffrey (and later D’Onta Foreman), Hubbard will complement free-agent acquisition Miles Sanders. With Reich saying he views Sanders as a three-down back, Hubbard’s opportunities might be limited. He needs to be ready when they come.”
What happened: Hubbard was ready. The 24-year-old back replaced an ineffective Sanders as the starter in Week 6 and never relinquished the job. Hubbard hit career highs in rushing attempts (238), rushing yards (902), receptions (39) and receiving yards (233). Also, his 59 rushing first downs tied for the fifth most in the NFL and ranked third in team history. Hubbard will have to prove himself again after the Panthers traded up in the second round to take Texas’ Jonathon Brooks, the first running back drafted. But with Brooks recovering from ACL surgery and free agent pickup Rashaad Penny yet to practice during OTAs (at least when media members were there), Hubbard should have a leg up.
Did he step up? Most assuredly.
GO DEEPERPanthers rookie Jonathon Brooks brings memory of his father to next stop6. Amare Barno, OLB
What we wrote last spring: “The Panthers brought back Marquis Haynes and might still sign a veteran to pair with Brian Burns. But Barno has potential as a situational speed rusher.”
What happened: The Panthers did in fact sign a veteran edge rusher in 34-year-old Justin Houston, who managed a half-sack in seven games before going on IR with a hamstring issue and later requesting his release. Barno played predominantly on special teams and didn’t do much on defense, failing to record a sack or quarterback hit. He’s still working his way back from an ACL tear he sustained against Green Bay in December.
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Did he step up? Negative.
5. Yetur Gross-Matos, OLB
What we wrote last spring: “The 2020 second-round pick had just 2 1/2 sacks and finished as the team’s lowest-graded defensive player, according to Pro Football Focus. And that was in a scheme that seemed to suit him. That might not be the case this year for the 6-5, 265-pound Gross-Matos, who appears to lack the size to hold up as a 3-4 defensive end and the skill set to thrive as a stand-up edge rusher.”
What happened: It turns out Gross-Matos wasn’t as miscast in Ejiro Evero’s five-man front as many observers thought. Despite being sidelined five games with a pulled hamstring, the Penn State product finished with a career-best 4 1/2 sacks and matched his career high with 10 quarterback pressures. The Panthers were interested in bringing Gross-Matos back, but the 26-year-old ended up in San Francisco on a two-year, $18 million contract.
Did he step up? He did.
4. Shaq Thompson, LB
What we wrote last spring: “Thompson probably fits more neatly on a ‘guys with something to prove’ list after agreeing to a significant pay cut that reduced his base salary to $1.2 million. But Thompson will play a pivotal role for the Panthers regardless.”
What happened: The Panthers’ longest-tenured position player was lost for the season after fracturing his fibula in a Monday night game against New Orleans in Week 2. Thompson was hurt when defensive lineman DeShawn Williams threw Saints left tackle Trevor Penning to the ground, with Penning landing on the back of Thompson’s right leg.
Did he step up? N/A.
Shaq Thompson entered last year with four consecutive 100-plus tackle seasons. (Bob Donnan / USA Today)
3. Tommy Tremble, TE
What we wrote last spring: “The Panthers used a third-round pick on Tremble two years ago. If he doesn’t do anything this season, Fitterer and Reich likely won’t pass on a tight end again.”
What happened: Tremble’s receiving numbers in 2023 were nearly identical to his stats from his first two seasons. The former Notre Dame standout caught 23 passes on 32 targets for 194 yards and three touchdowns. Tremble’s 71.9 catch percentage was a career high, while his long reception of 30 yards matched his career best. Still, there’s a feeling that Tremble can do more in the passing game, which should receive a boost with the addition of former Texas tight end and fourth-round pick Ja’Tavion Sanders.
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Did he step up? Pretty much.
2. Donte Jackson, CB
What we wrote last spring: “The Panthers haven’t addressed their cornerback depth this offseason, putting the onus on the 27-year-old Jackson to stay healthy. When he went down with a ruptured Achilles in November, it marked the fourth consecutive year he failed to play a full season.”
What happened: Jackson played 16 of 17 games, missing only a Week 5 matchup with Detroit with a shoulder injury. Though Jackson had no interceptions for the first time in his career, his Pro Football Focus coverage grade was his best in three seasons. He also finished with a career-high five tackles for loss. Morgan sent Jackson to Pittsburgh in a trade that brought wide receiver Diontae Johnson to Charlotte.
Did he step up? For the most part, but with few splash plays.
GO DEEPERPanthers' Diontae Johnson on Bryce Young, his Steelers' tenure and public perception1. Jeremy Chinn, S
What we wrote last spring: “He failed to create a turnover (in 2022) and was involved in few impact plays. Evero will move Chinn around, from safety to big nickel to linebacker. The Panthers hope putting Chinn closer to the line of scrimmage will pay off in more plays.”
What happened: While Chinn’s versatility seemed like a positive, the 2020 second-round pick was more like a man without a position when it became apparent Evero and the defensive staff didn’t trust his coverage ability. Chinn played just 38.7 percent of the defensive snaps after being on the field for 9 out of 10 defensive plays his first three seasons. His production naturally dropped, and Chinn is now in Washington.
Did he step up? He barely stepped on the field except for special teams.
(Top photos of Jeremy Chinn and Chuba Hubbard: Nic Antaya / Getty Images; Daniel Bartel / USA Today)
Joe Person is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Carolina Panthers. He has covered the team since 2010, previously for the Charlotte Observer. A native of Williamsport, Pa., Joe is a graduate of William & Mary, known for producing presidents and NFL head coaches. Follow Joseph on Twitter @josephperson
