North Charlotte Today

CHARLOTTE — In the special teams room, they play a game each day called "New Guy, Who Dis." When a new teammate arrives, they introduce themselves and get to work. Special teams coordinator Tracy Smith explained, "We don't call anybody by their jersey number around here, so we've got to figure out who our guys are."

This activity encapsulates the Panthers' offseason marked by significant roster changes. Since March, the team has seen numerous additions through free agency, trades, and waiver claims. Of the 53 players on the active roster, 23 were not with the team in January.

Head coach Dave Canales is focused on building a new culture while addressing football performance. "It's something new that we're going to become," Canales said. "We've got a bunch of new guys to play with. Let's learn each other."

Long snapper JJ Jansen acknowledged the unprecedented level of turnover: "No, I haven't [seen anything like this]. Especially the last 10 to 14 days. It's been pretty dramatic in terms of turning over the roster."

Quarterback Bryce Young humorously admitted it was challenging to keep track of all the new faces. Linebacker Jon Rhattigan emphasized relationship-building but also stressed the need to get down to business quickly.

Team captain Shaq Thompson expressed his support for the changes: "I like it. The guys they brought in... those guys all work; you see them out there making plays."

The coaching staff is working diligently to integrate new players into their system. Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik highlighted reliance on veteran players for teaching newcomers: "We trust our guys because we're far along now... They know what we're trying to accomplish as a group."

Rookie Trevin Wallace noted that college football's transfer portal era has made such turnover more familiar: "With the portal, we're used to this."

Veteran receiver Adam Thielen pointed out that ongoing roster changes underscore the competitive nature of making and staying on an NFL team: "They're trying to win; they're trying to get the best roster possible."

Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney understands these dynamics well, having been with six teams in seven years. He focuses on his performance and fitting into new systems quickly.

Canales remains clear about his goals despite recent upheavals: "We're going to continue creating our culture... celebrating effort plays and relying on leadership." The aim is not just immediate success but building a foundation for lasting change.