Will Hunter Renfrow make the Carolina Panthers? And more in this week’s mailbag
The Carolina Panthers know their official training camp start date — veterans report July 22 — and it’s all starting to feel real.
With that, it’s time for The Observer to address real questions the fan base has ahead of the beginning of 2025 with a Panthers mailbag.
Here are some standout questions from social media.
The Renfrow in the room
On X, Steven asks: What percentage do you put on Hunter Renfrow making the team? Also, people say it would be hard because he needs to play special teams, but he played special teams in Las Vegas. Have you seen him practicing on special teams any?
First off, Steven, thanks for the question. It’s the same one I’ve been most interested in since the Panthers announced the acquisition in late April. My first thought: “Oh wow, the Panthers are taking a chance on someone who hasn’t played in a year and whose numbers dwindled a bit once he earned his second contract.” My second thought: “Wait ... didn’t they just re-sign David Moore?”
The first thought was quelled pretty quickly. Renfrow told reporters of his bout with ulcerative colitis from 2021 to now in great detail — of how, once he got the proper treatment, he gained back 35 pounds and swelled back to his normal weight of 185; of how his energy returned; of how the 29-year-old feels like his 2021 Pro Bowl-self again.
The second ... is still out there.
The Panthers’ wide receiver room is packed to the brim with players who contributed in 2024. The top three spots are accounted for: Tetairoa McMillan was selected with the No. 8 pick in the draft. Xavier Legette underwent successful foot surgery and looked great in minicamp. Adam Thielen earned a raise in 2025 for the resurgence the 34-year-old has seen the past two seasons.
But the rest is where things get murky. Jalen Coker earned the most yards in franchise history for a rookie undrafted free agent last year. David Moore was as reliable as they come — in both special teams and as a wideout — and blossomed the same time Bryce Young did. The Panthers also drafted Jimmy Horn Jr. They also picked up rookies Kobe Hudson and Jacolby George, and there’s also special teams ace / “who-is-that-guy-who-caught-that-third-down-pass” receiver in Dan Chisena.
And now Renfrow.
Since we might as well commit to an answer, I’ll say that Renfrow has an 80% chance of making the team. And by that I mean, he has an 80% chance of being one of the likely seven receivers to make the initial 53-man roster. Why so sure? He got some runs with the starters in minicamp and was the favorite target of Andy Dalton with the 2s. He was targeted deep and on shallow crosses; he looked fast and sharp on his routes. He also, to Steven’s latter question, caught punts in the few special teams reps reporters saw during minicamp — as did Raheem Blackshear, Moore and Horn, when the rookie wasn’t out with a hamstring injury.
Plus, just thinking big picture: The Panthers had a vision when they acquired Renfrow. If healthy — which he is — he’s a receiver who can greatly help this team. I think he will.
More position upgrades
On X, Greg asks: What position upgrades do you think they’ll make before training camp? Gotta at least get another safety, right?
We’ve covered this question a few times as the offseason has gone on — and deservingly so. The short of it: Not much has changed.
I still think the Panthers could afford to make an addition at the inside linebacker spot. I still think the cornerback room could use an upgrade — though the likelihood of a massive splash of the Jaire Alexander (already snatched up) or Stephon Gilmore or Jalen Ramsey variety is downright improbable now. I also think the Panthers will need to add a safety or two prior to the beginning of the 2025 season — whether that be in the form of veterans Julian Blackmon or Marcus Williams, who took visits to Carolina in March, or someone else.
As of right now — and as my colleague Mike Kaye said on our latest podcast episode of Processing Blue — the Panthers’ front office seems to like the defensive backfield a ton. (And for what it’s worth: I’m a massive believer in safety Demani Richardson, who was one of the only reliable tacklers in 2024. And the additions of Tre’Von Moehrig and rookie Lathan Ransom are clear pluses.)
If anything were to happen there, at this point, I think it would happen on the waiver wire post-53-man roster cut, and would mostly yield a depth piece for the Panthers.
How to know if special teams players are ... well, special
Via email, Rob C. asks: How can the coaching staff, specifically special teams, assess guys designated for special teams? For example, if they aren’t hitting in practice, is it realistic at evaluating gunners?
It’s a wonderful question without a satisfying answer. The truth is, you’re right, there’s only so much you can discern about a special teams guy from open workouts and, really, from training camp. Standing out at your position and being willing to play special teams — particularly if you’re a rookie — is paramount. And doing all this in preseason-game special teams reps is, too.
But to dig a little deeper: This is where previous experience and word of mouth reigns. Chisena earned a spot on this team for his special teams acumen in Minnesota. Nick Scott re-signed with the Panthers despite a less-than-ideal year in 2024 because he was so good as a protector on the punt team.
And take a look at a handful of special teams-first players the Panthers added since the assemblage of this new coaching staff: Many have robust experience with special teams coordinator Tracy Smith (and that’s not even to mention the players who’ve played with Ejiro Evero, who also can speak to their ST acumen).
Those guys who’ve worked with Smith previously: Moore (he’s been everywhere); Jon Rhattigan (Seattle from 2021-23; Panthers in 2024); Lonnie Johnson Jr. (Texans 2019-21; Panthers in 2024 and signed with Las Vegas on Day 1 of free agency negotiations in March).
So previous working experience matters. Word of mouth matters. Willingness to play on special teams matters. Just ask Terrace Marshall Jr., whose lack of being a special teams guy played a big role in the Panthers’ decision to release him before the start of the 2024, despite having a massive camp last year. Just ask Rhattigan and Chisena and Scott, whose special teams work got them spots on the Carolina roster heading into this year’s training camp.
It all matters. But perhaps more so than any other roster consideration, special teams is a “who you know” game. That’s true at pretty much any NFL spot, for 2025 and beyond.
This story was originally published June 25, 2025 at 6:30 AM.
