The Panthers embrace a youth movement in July 2025 camp, releasing Josey Jewell and signing Mello Dotson. See how Bryce Young leads a new era in Carolina.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The winds of change are blowing strong in Charlotte. As the Panthers continued training camp on Friday, the message from head coach Dave Canales was clear, not just in his words, but in his actions: this is a new era of Carolina football. With quarterback Bryce Young looking sharp and confident, the team made moves that underscored a full-scale commitment to a youth movement, aiming to build a sustainable winner from the ground up.
We're not just changing players, we're changing the culture. The energy these young guys bring is infectious, and it's pushing everyone to be better.
The most concrete evidence of the Panthers' new direction came Friday with two key roster moves. The team parted ways with veteran linebacker Josey Jewell, a move that officially passes the torch to a younger generation of defenders. In his place, a new face arrived: rookie cornerback Mello Dotson. An All-American from Kansas, Dotson brings impressive ball-hawking skills, having racked up 12 interceptions and 37 passes defended in college. He was signed after the team waived CB MJ Devonshire with an injury designation, adding fresh competition and another young asset to the secondary.
On the field, the optimism starts under center. Bryce Young, carrying the momentum from his 5-touchdown finale against Atlanta last season, has been a focal point of camp. He and Coach Canales have presented a united front, projecting confidence despite national media skepticism. They're not alone in turning heads. First-round pick Tetairoa McMillan is already showing flashes of the big-play ability that made him a top prospect, while fellow rookie, edge rusher Nic Scourton, is bringing the heat. The infusion of talent from the 2025 draft class, which also includes RB Jonathon Brooks, is palpable.
With veterans like Jewell departing, a leadership vacuum could have formed. Instead, players are stepping up. Coach Canales specifically pointed to defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton as a key figure in the locker room. Wharton has reportedly taken the younger players under his wing, helping them with assignments and setting the standard for professionalism. It's this type of player-led accountability that Canales believes is crucial for building a winning culture that lasts beyond a single season.
For the first time in a long time, there's a clear identity forming in Charlotte. While every team is technically 0-0 and tied for first in the NFC South, the Panthers' clean slate feels different this year—it feels like a genuine beginning. The goal is clear: end the seven-year playoff drought. The next step on that journey comes in the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, where fans will get their first look at this young, hungry, and re-energized Panthers team.
