This transcript does not include audio timing.
We’ve made it through the fun parts of the offseason. The Carolina Panthers added some potential difference makers on the defensive side of the ball in Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd. They added some depth and starting potential on the offensive side of the ball in the draft. On paper, the roster looks as good as it has in years. That makes for a very exciting buildup to the 2026 season. But first, we’ve got several months to get through. Fortunately the NFL has found ways to keep itself relevant all offseason long. Here are the key dates to mark on your calendars between now and the start of the season.MayMay 8-9: Rookie minicampMid-May: NFL schedule revealMay 26-27, 29: OTAsSome heavy rain is supposed to lighten up just in time for the Panthers to hold their rookie minicamp on Friday and Saturday. All seven draft picks, 11 undrafted free agents, and possibly a handful of tryout players will take part as they start to get acclimated to the NFL while the team gets its first look at the incoming talent they have on their hands. The full team will convene for the first official activities later in the month.Normally we know the date of the NFL schedule reveal by now, but the league is yet to release it. In years past, the week after this one was the one in which the schedule was unveiled. That may or may not be the case this year, but I expect it’ll be out within the next two weeks.JuneJune 1-2, 4: OTAsJune 9-11: Mandatory minicampJune is pretty quiet. We have the second round of “voluntary” OTAs followed by mandatory minicamp in the middle of the month. That minicamp is usually when we get the most substantive reporting on how players are progressing and what the team may look like in the coming season.JulyJuly 15: Deadline for players on franchise tag to sign multi-year contractMid-July: Training camp opensThe Panthers are partaking in the Hall of Fame game this year, meaning they’ll open their preseason one week before everyone else. That also means they’ll open training camp before everyone else. Last year’s Hall of Fame game participants opened camp between July 16th and 19th, which is about a week before the rest of the league. However, that Hall of Fame game was on July 31st, while this year’s is on August 6th, so we won’t get the Panthers at camp quite that early. The official date will get set later.AugustAugust 6: Hall of Fame Game between Panthers and CardinalsThe Panthers get the ever coveted opportunity to play an extra preseason game because one of their former players is getting elected to the Hall of Fame. They play against the Cardinals as Luke Kuechly and Larry Fitzgerald get honored. Very few important players are expected to play in what’s always an underwhelming first game of football. That said, it’ll probably have a little extra juice for Panthers fans given the pomp and circumstance of the event.
Takes mentioned in this episode
- Dallas Cowboys team · neutral
“Normally we know the date of the NFL schedule reveal by now, but the league is yet to release it.”
General discussion about NFL schedule release dates.
- Dallas Cowboys team · neutral
“Normally we know the date of the NFL schedule reveal by now, but the league is yet to release it.”
Discussing general NFL league news regarding the schedule reveal.
- Larry Fitzgerald player · positive
“They play against the Cardinals as Luke Kuechly and Larry Fitzgerald get honored.”
Mentioning players being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
- Luke Kuechly player · positive
“They play against the Cardinals as Luke Kuechly and Larry Fitzgerald get honored.”
They play against the Cardinals as Luke Kuechly and Larry Fitzgerald get honored.
- Arizona Cardinals team · neutral
“They play against the Cardinals as Luke Kuechly and Larry Fitzgerald get honored.”
They play against the Cardinals as Luke Kuechly and Larry Fitzgerald get honored.
- Carolina Panthers team · positive
“The Carolina Panthers added some potential difference makers on the defensive side of the ball in Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd.”
The Carolina Panthers added some potential difference makers on the defensive side of the ball in Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd.
- Jaelan Phillips player · positive
“The Carolina Panthers added some potential difference makers on the defensive side of the ball in Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd.”
The Carolina Panthers added some potential difference makers on the defensive side of the ball in Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd.
- Devin Lloyd player · positive
“The Carolina Panthers added some potential difference makers on the defensive side of the ball in Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd.”
The Carolina Panthers added some potential difference makers on the defensive side of the ball in Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd.
- Carolina Panthers team · positive
“The Carolina Panthers added some potential difference makers on the defensive side of the ball in Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd.”
Discussing team roster improvements for the upcoming season.
- Jaelan Phillips player · positive
“The Carolina Panthers added some potential difference makers on the defensive side of the ball in Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd.”
Identifying new defensive additions to the team roster.
- Arizona Cardinals team · neutral
“The Panthers get the ever coveted opportunity to play an extra preseason game because one of their former players is getting elected to the Hall of Fame.”
Mentioning a specific preseason game between the Panthers and Cardinals.
- Carolina Panthers team · positive
“The Carolina Panthers added some potential difference makers on the defensive side of the ball in Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd.”
Discussing team roster improvements for the upcoming season.
- Jaelan Phillips player · positive
“The Carolina Panthers added some potential difference makers on the defensive side of the ball in Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd.”
Identifying new defensive additions to the team roster.
- Arizona Cardinals team · neutral
“The Panthers get the ever coveted opportunity to play an extra preseason game because one of their former players is getting elected to the Hall of Fame.”
Mentioning a specific preseason game between the Panthers and Cardinals.
- Luke Kuechly player · neutral
“They play against the Cardinals as Luke Kuechly and Larry Fitzgerald get honored.”
Mentioning players being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
- Larry Fitzgerald player · positive
“They play against the Cardinals as Luke Kuechly and Larry Fitzgerald get honored.”
Mentioning Hall of Fame Game honorees.
- Larry Fitzgerald player · positive
“They play against the Cardinals as Luke Kuechly and Larry Fitzgerald get honored.”
They play against the Cardinals as Luke Kuechly and Larry Fitzgerald get honored.
- Arizona Cardinals team · neutral
“August 6: Hall of Fame Game between Panthers and Cardinals”
Opponent in Hall of Fame game; no sentiment expressed
- Carolina Panthers team · positive
“The Carolina Panthers added some potential difference makers on the defensive side of the ball in Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd.”
Discussing roster improvements for the upcoming season.
- Jaelan Phillips player · positive
“The Carolina Panthers added some potential difference makers on the defensive side of the ball in Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd.”
Identifying new defensive additions to the team roster.
- Devin Lloyd player · positive
“The Carolina Panthers added some potential difference blocks on the defensive side of the ball in Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd.”
Identifying new defensive additions to the team roster.
- Arizona Cardinals team · neutral
“August 6: Hall of Fame Game between Panthers and Cardinals”
Listing the schedule for a preseason game.
- Larry Fitzgerald player · positive
“They play against the Cardinals as Luke Kuechly and Larry Fitzgerald get honored.”
Mentioning a Hall - of Fame induction for a former player.
- Luke Kuechly player · positive
“They play against the Cardinals as Luke Kuechly and Larry Fitzgerald get honored.”
Mentioning Hall of Fame honorees.
- Carolina Panthers team · positive
“On paper, the roster looks as good as it has in years. That makes for a very exciting buildup to the 2026 season.”
Roster quality assessed as best in years, generating excitement for upcoming season
- Luke Kuechly player · positive
“They play against the Cardinals as Luke Kuechly and Larry Fitzgerald get honored.”
Being honored and elected to the Hall of Fame
- Larry Fitzgerald player · positive
“They play against the Cardinals as Luke Kuechly and Larry Fitzgerald get honored.”
Being honored and elected to the Hall of Fame
- Luke Kuechly player · positive
“They play against the Cardinals as Luke Kuechly and Larry Fitzgerald get honored.”
Mentioning a Hall of Fame induction for a former player.
- Jaelan Phillips player · positive
“The Carolina Panthers added some potential difference makers on the defensive side of the ball in Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd.”
Characterized as a 'potential difference maker' in defensive additions
- Devin Lloyd player · positive
“The Carolina Panthers added some potential difference makers on the defensive side of the ball in Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd.”
Characterized as a 'potential difference maker' in defensive additions