One of, if not the most intriguing move the Carolina Panthers made this offseason wasn’t a hiring, a signing or a trade. In fact, it didn’t even involve a new face.
Back in February, head coach Dave Canales announced that he’d be handing over his offensive play-calling duties to the team’s offensive coordinator, Brad Idzik. The decision put an end to Canales’ two-year run with the sheet and has given Idzik his very first turn at calling the shots.
It also brings about a number of interesting questions.
How different will the offense be under Idzik? Will the unit finally be able to take a real step forward? And can the Panthers benefit from Canales taking a more universal approach to his job?
We’ll find out by the time the 2026 regular season kicks in. But until then, there is a handful of other questions that faces this bunch ahead of training camp.
Here is one burning question for each of Carolina’s offensive position groups . . .
QB: Will Kenny Pickett suffice as the new backup?
When general manager Dan Morgan hinted at what he was looking for in a new backup to quarterback Bryce Young, he highlighted the needs for mobility and athleticism. Well, he’d go on to sign Pickett—who isn’t exactly the poster child for either of those traits.
The 28-year-old has fallen short of his first-round billing, having made just 27 starts over 36 games since being drafted in 2022. But at least he’s been symmetrical about—as he’s thrown for just as many touchdowns as he’s had interceptions (16) and is now on his fifth team in as many years.
Perhaps the potential is in there somewhere, but by no means is Pickett a top-end No. 2 option in this league. Heck, we’re not sure if he’s even a better option than a 38-year-old Andy Dalton, whom Carolina cleared out for Pickett.
So if Young is somehow unable to start at any point during the campaign, can Pickett keep the boat afloat? That’s probably a question that the Panthers hope they won’t have to face.
RB: Will Jonathon Brooks take over in the backfield?
Carolina had designs of Brooks eventually leading their backfield when they spent a second-round pick on him back in 2024. But between his first ACL tear from college and his second from his rookie season, he’s been limited to just three games since then.
Fortunately, the outlook for the 22-year-old is already bright here in 2026. Brooks participated in a full slate of spring workouts for the first time and looked great doing it. He’s also built up some buzz around potentially jumping Chuba Hubbard as the offense’s primary rusher.
The chance may be there, as Hubbard is coming off a disappointing (and injury-plagued) 2025 campaign. His setbacks helped give way to former backup-turned-starter Rico Dowdle, who left for Pittsburgh this offseason.
Will Hubbard eventually open the door for Brooks as well? And if Brooks takes the reins, can he stave off his major health concerns?
WR: Can Xavier Legette find his footing?
Speaking of doors, the Panthers could soon find one to push Legette out of.
2024’s first-rounder hasn’t looked the part, having struggled with drops and spacial awareness far too often. Over his first two NFL seasons, he’s amassed just 84 receptions for 860 yards and seven touchdowns, and has nearly twice the amount of games with 10 or fewer receiving yards than he does ones of at least 50 receiving yards.
The first warning shot from the team came in the final stretch in 2025—where Legette saw his snap share decrease, week by week, over the last four regular-season contests. The second came this offseason, when the front office selected first-team All-SEC wideout Chris Brazzell II in the third round of the draft and extended Jalen Coker—an undrafted free-agent signee from Legette’s own rookie class.
Between dropping on the totem pole under Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan and Coker and having to fend off a shiny new toy in Brazzell, Legette will have to you know what or get off the pot.
TE: Who can step up in the receiving department?
2025 marked the sixth straight year in which Carolina did not have a single tight end amass at least 400 receiving yards. So maybe, just maybe, this was the offseason to bring on at least a decent pass catcher, right?
Not exactly.
Barring a late addition, the Panthers will head into training camp with a very familiar group. Sixth-year veteran Tommy Tremble headlines a room that features 2024 fourth-round pick Ja’Tavion Sanders, 2025 fifth-round pick Mitchell Evans and special teams standout Feleipe Franks, who was brought back after a year in Atlanta.
None have yet to hit 350 receiving yards in a season, let alone 400. And although the offense may just need them to block their butts off above all else, can any break out to become a threat through the air?
OL: Will the rookies beat out the veterans?
The Panthers used two of their seven 2026 draft picks on hog mollies. The first was Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling, this year’s 19th overall selection, and the second was Kansas State center Sam Hecht.
Even as rookies, they are expected to compete for starting gigs. Freeling, with usual blindside protector Ikem Ekwonu recovering from a torn patellar tendon, will battle free-agent addition Rasheed Walker at left tackle while Hecht will challenge another veteran newcomer in Luke Fortner in the middle.
Carolina should be more invested in their development than in Walker and Fortner, both of whom are on one-year deals. So don’t be surprised if Freeling and Hecht are in the starting lineup in Week 1, or at least at some point in 2026.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 1 burning question for the Panthers at each offensive position group in 2026
