The Carolina Panthers have completed the next step towards their NFC South title defense. This year’s installment of organized team activities have now concluded, after two weeks and six sessions out on the practice field.
So, what were the most worthwhile lessons from this cluster of outings?
Here are our biggest takeaways from the Panthers’ 2026 OTAs . . .
Call it a comeback
Thanks to his pair of ACL tears, third-year running back Jonathon Brooks hadn’t played much over his first two NFL seasons. Heck, this marked the first time he was able to fully participate in OTAs—and his presence was a very welcomed sight.
Brooks received glowing reviews from the likes of head coach Dave Canales, offensive coordinator Brad Idzik and right guard Robert Hunt. The 22-year-old got a chance to speak on his status as well, and was asked if ability to assume a regular workload to this point has surprised him.
“No, I mean, because that roots back in my faith, and I know that God is ultimately take control over everything that I do,” Brooks replied, “I’m behind the scenes doing a lot of work to make sure that I can be able to handle that workload. And I’m just doing my part—listening to the training staff, listen to the coaches and follow their plan for me and it’s been good.”
Around this time last year, the Panthers made the decision to sideline Brooks for the entirety of the 2025 campaign as he recovered from the second tear. Now, he’s on track to assume a firm role in the backfield alongside Chuba Hubbard.
Waiting on another return
Like Brooks, starting defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton is on the comeback trail. His journey from a neck injury, however, is in the earlier stages—as he underwent surgery less than a month ago.
Given the sudden timing of the setback, Wharton probably won’t be able to suit up for a full season. But defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero told reporters that he expects the seventh-year vet back at some point in 2026.
“Certainly, he’s not working with us right now, but it’s been good to have him in the building and he’s taking his notes and doing all the stuff in the classroom,” Evero stated. “Know he’s rehabbing. Exactly when he’ll be back—I’m not certain of that. But the one thing I do know is that he’ll be ready when he is.”
Carolina signed Wharton to a three-year, $45 million deal in the spring of 2025. He’d go on to miss eight of the team’s 18 games in the first year of that pact, amassing 38 combined tackles and 2.0 sacks over 10 contests.
Outside of Wharton and Pro Bowler Derrick Brown, some options along the defensive line include Bobby Brown III, LaBryan Ray, Jared Harrison-Hunte and 2026 second-round pick Lee Hunter.
First-rounder’s first steps
Speaking of draft picks, first-round selection Monroe Freeling got some work at both left tackle and right tackle at OTAs. The 6-foot-7, 318-pounder may have been the top true left tackle prospect the 2026 class had to offer, but the Panthers aren’t shying away from exercising a bit of versatility with their new hog molly.
“Yeah, we got him in at right a little bit yesterday. He worked both,” Idzik said after the second practice. “And I think cross training for all our guys is invaluable.
“Last year, I think we had like 12 units play. So, we have a lot of different mixtures as you go throughout the season. A lot of uncontrolled variables pop up where you gotta play guys at different spots.”
With usual starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu recovering from a torn patellar tendon, Freeling is expected to compete with veteran free-agent signee Rasheed Walker for the early duties on the blindside. And if outside linebacker Nic Scourton’s impressions of Freeling are any indication, then the rookie is off to a strong start.
“Man, I think Freeling’s gonna be a really good piece for us,” Scourton told reporters. “You don’t get drafted in the first round on accident.
“The talent is there. The feet, the hands—he wins. So, I think Freeling’s gonna be a really good piece, and hope we’re here together for a little minute.”
The Panthers’ willingness to try Freeling on the right side could prove to be a valuable venture, especially if the wear and tear on 10th-year veteran Taylor Moton pops up during the course of the season.
A little Brazzell dazzle
Idzik also spoke on third-round pick Chris Brazzell, and expressed his excitement for what the speedy 6-foot-4 wideout can bring to his unit.
“It’s pretty obvious when you have a guy who’s not only fast, but a longer athlete like Chris that really stretches the safeties,” he said. “It makes them hesitate for one more second on driving anything intermediate and underneath.”
Brazzell enters the pros as a first-team All-SEC selection from 2025, where he posted a conference-leading nine touchdowns and chunky clip of 16.4 yards per reception. He joins a room that already features 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan, 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette and wild-card round standout Jalen Coker.
That group, per Idzik, should give the offense some advantageous looks.
“Some of the best blocking you can do is inviting cloud coverage,” he continued. “So, when you have a guy that can take the top off, more times than not, those safeties have to honor it by either clouding or holding shell to discourage the deep pass.
“We had that with DK Metcalf when we [Idzik Canales] were in Seattle. We had that with Mike Evans when we were in Tampa. And then last year, guys like Xavier and Jalen and T-Mac rolling on the outside—the safeties have to honor it.”
Canales, Idzik and the Panthers are hoping to produce more explosives in 2026. The offense finished 2025 tied for the fourth-fewest yards per passing attempt (6.4).
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers 2026 OTAs: 4 biggest takeaways from this year’s sessions
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