SEO Title: Carolina Panthers 2025 Training Camp Preview: Bryce Young, Roster Battles and Schedule
SEO Description: The Carolina Panthers open 2025 training camp in Charlotte with Bryce Young’s development, a rebuilt defensive front, return jobs and a kicker competition among the major storylines.
The Carolina Panthers will bring rookies to Charlotte on July 21 and veterans one day later, beginning a pivotal 2025 training camp centered on quarterback Bryce Young’s continued rise and a major effort to rebuild the league’s worst defense from a year ago.
Carolina will conduct camp at Bank of America Stadium, with Young entering his third NFL season after the encouraging second half of his 2024 campaign offered a positive turn in an otherwise disappointing year.
Carolina Panthers 2025 Training Camp: Key Dates and Preseason Games
- Rookies are scheduled to report on July 21.
- Veterans will report on July 22 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
- The Panthers open the preseason against the Cleveland Browns at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 8. NFL Network will televise the game.
- Carolina travels to face the Houston Texans at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 16.
- The preseason concludes with the Pittsburgh Steelers visiting Charlotte at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 21, with NFL Network carrying the broadcast.
Young’s new targets headline the offense
Young’s connection with first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan will be among the most important developments of camp. McMillan arrives with the size, catch radius and profile of a potential top receiving option, giving Carolina another significant piece around its young quarterback.
Veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen remains an important presence in that room and can help Young and McMillan establish timing quickly. The Panthers also need a stronger second season from Xavier Legette, while Hunter Renfrow’s attempt to resume his NFL career adds another summer storyline at receiver.
For Carolina’s offense to take the necessary step forward, the club needs to turn that collection of receivers into a dependable group that can support Young throughout the regular season.
Defensive line reset begins with Derrick Brown
The return of Derrick Brown is central to Carolina’s hopes of a defensive turnaround. Brown suffered a knee injury in Week 1 last season and did not return, and the Panthers struggled badly to generate disruption without him. Their problems against the run contributed to a defense that finished 32nd in the NFL.
Carolina added reinforcements around Brown, signing defensive linemen Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III. How quickly that reworked front develops cohesion will be a critical camp question.
The Panthers also brought in pass rusher Patrick Jones II and safety Tre’von Moehrig in free agency. They join a secondary featuring cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, while rookies Nic Scourton and Lathan Ransom will look to earn defensive snaps.
Special teams jobs are open
Several special teams roles will be decided during the summer, starting with both return positions. Rookie wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. and rookie running back Trevor Etienne are expected to compete for kickoff and punt duties.
Both rookies bring quickness and open-field ability to a return unit that has recorded one touchdown return since 2018. Their competition could be particularly notable during the preseason games.
Carolina also has a new kicking battle, with Matthew Wright and Ryan Fitzgerald competing for the starting position. Punter Sam Martin is set to work with long snapper J.J. Jansen, a longtime Panthers specialist.
Regular-season scheduling note
Carolina is one of seven NFL teams without a Thursday game on its 2025 regular-season schedule. The Panthers’ Week 12 Monday night game against the San Francisco 49ers is currently their lone prime-time appearance.
