Matt Rhule
Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass as quarterback PJ Walker (6) looks on during NFL football practice in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, June 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Anderson: QB Sam Darnold has different 'aura' in Carolina

By Steve Reed Jun. 15, 2021 11:23 AM EDT

Carolina Panthers linebacker Jeremy Chinn runs a drill during NFL football practice in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, June 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Panthers moving rookie standout Jeremy Chinn to safety

By Steve Reed Jun. 02, 2021 05:11 PM EDT

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) fists bumps the wide receivers prior to a series of drills during the team's NFL football practice on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 in Charlotte, N.C. (Jeff SIner/The Charlotte Observer via AP)
QB Sam Darnold starts over fresh with Panthers offense

By Steve Reed May. 25, 2021 06:45 PM EDT

Rhule 'disappointed' Bridgewater wasn't happy with practice

By Steve Reed May. 12, 2021 10:58 PM EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Matt Rhule feels good about the way the Panthers approach practices and is “disappointed” former quarterback Teddy Bridgewater didn’t...

FILE - BYU offensive lineman Brady Christensen runs down field during the school's Pro Day football workout for NFL scouts in Provo, Utah, in this Friday, March 26, 2021, file photo. The Panthers are hoping 24-year Brady Christensen came help solidify the left tackle position that has been a revolving door ever since Jordan Gross retired nearly a decade ago. The third-round pick from BYU is looking to do the same. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
Panthers hope Christensen finally fills void at left tackle

By Steve Reed May. 04, 2021 12:28 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2020, file photo, South Carolina defensive back Jaycee Horn plays against Vanderbilt in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Nashville, Tenn. The Arizona Cardinals pick at No. 16 in the upcoming NFL draft and seem likely to target a defensive player, particularly a cornerback. There could be several opportunities to add one depending on how the picks shake out: Alabama's Patrick Surtain II, South Carolina's Horn and Virginia Tech's Caleb Farley. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
NFL draft reinforces Panthers commitment to QB Sam Darnold

By Steve Reed May. 01, 2021 07:42 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 file photo, LSU wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. (6) runs the ball for a touchdown against South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La. Baltimore ranked last in the NFL averaging 171.2 yards passing per game and had the fewest pass attempts with 406 last season. That’s partly because the running game was so proficient behind quarterback Lamar Jackson, the catalyst for the league’s No. 1 rushing attack (191.9 yards per game) for the second straight season.(AP Photo/Brett Duke, File)
Panthers make 4 trades, add 3 offensive players in NFL draft

By Steve Reed Apr. 30, 2021 09:38 PM EDT

FILE - Florida tight end Kyle Pitts (84) breaks free from a Missouri defender as he runs a pass pattern during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Gainesville, Fla., in this Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, file photo. Pitts is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft, April 29-May 1, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
NFL draft: Players selected in the first round

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 29, 2021 11:38 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2020, file photo, South Carolina defensive back Jaycee Horn plays against Vanderbilt in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Nashville, Tenn. The Arizona Cardinals pick at No. 16 in the upcoming NFL draft and seem likely to target a defensive player, particularly a cornerback. There could be several opportunities to add one depending on how the picks shake out: Alabama's Patrick Surtain II, South Carolina's Horn and Virginia Tech's Caleb Farley. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Panthers select CB Horn with No. 8 pick in the NFL draft

By Steve Reed Apr. 29, 2021 09:37 PM EDT

FILE - BYU quarterback Zach Wilson (1) celebrates an overtime win against Tennessee with fans in an NCAA college football game in Knoxville, Tenn., in this Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, file photo. Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson are expected to be the top two picks selected in the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 29, 20212, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
NFL Draft: Players selected in the first round

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 29, 2021 09:05 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2019, file photo, Oregon offensive linemen Shane Lemieux (68) and Penei Sewell, right, block for quarterback Justin Herbert (10) against Stanford during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif. The acquisition of Sam Darnold via trade earlier this month has given the Carolina Panthers more options with the No. 8 pick in the NFL draft. Carolina's most pressing need entering the draft is at left tackle, a position they have failed to solidify over the last seven seasons. That means 6-foot-6, 330-pound Sewell and 6-foot-3, 305-pound Rashawn Slater from Northwestern could be in play if either is around at No. 8. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
Panthers have options at No. 8 pick, including trading down

By Steve Reed Apr. 23, 2021 03:09 PM EDT

Panthers could go a number of directions with No. 8 pick

The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2021 12:43 PM EDT
CAROLINA PANTHERS (5-11) LAST SEASON: The Panthers struggled to win close games in Matt Rhule's first year as coach, which prompted the...

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, file photo New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold warms up before the NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass. The New York Jets traded Darnold Monday, April 5, 2021, to the Carolina Panthers, ending a stint that was marked by a few flashes of brilliance, inconsistent play, and unfortunate injuries. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
QB Sam Darnold excited to be where he's 'wanted' in Carolina

By Steve Reed Apr. 12, 2021 04:03 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, file photo New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold warms up before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass. The New York Jets traded Darnold Monday, April 5, 2021, to the Carolina Panthers, ending a stint that was marked by a few flashes of brilliance, inconsistent play, and unfortunate injuries. (AP Photo/Stew Milne, File)
See ya Sam: Jets trade Darnold to Panthers for 3 draft picks

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Apr. 05, 2021 04:21 PM EDT

Panthers focus on rebuilding up front as QB decision awaits

By Steve Reed Mar. 24, 2021 04:50 PM EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Panthers coach Matt Rhule and new general manager Scott Fitterer have spent the offseason upgrading the team’s offensive and defensive...

FILE - New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick catches a packet of papers after he tossed them in the air during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, in this Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, file photo. Belichick never was one to spent wildly in free agency. Watching Tom Brady win another Super Bowl in another city sure changed that. The New England Patriots doled out $175 million in guarantees in the first 48 hours of free agency following a 7-9 stumble in 2020 that officially ended their two-decade dominance of the AFC. (AP Photo/John Froschauer, File)
Patriots, Bucs among those making biggest waves so far

By Arnie Stapleton Mar. 22, 2021 04:14 PM EDT

AP source: Panthers bolster defense on Day 1 of free agency

By Steve Reed Mar. 17, 2021 07:55 PM EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers shifted their focus to upgrading their defense on the first day of the league year, agreeing to terms with...

FILE - San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, file photo. The San Francisco 49ers locked up their biggest potential free agent for the long term by agreeing to give star left tackle Trent Williams the richest contract ever for an offensive lineman. Williams' agents at Elite Loyalty Sports say the deal agreed to early Wednesday morning, March 17, 2021, will pay Williams $138.1 million over the next six years, surpassing the $138 million deal David Bakhtiari got from during last season. (AP Photo/Jennifer Stewart, File)
Some NFL veterans prosper as business season begins

By Barry Wilner Mar. 17, 2021 02:30 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 8, 2020, file photo, Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo. The Panthers have restructured the contracts of running back Christian McCaffrey and linebacker Shaq Thompson, freeing up more than $11 million in salary-cap space before the start of free agency. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
Panthers rework McCaffrey, Thompson; free up $11M under cap

Mar. 10, 2021 03:33 PM EST

Panthers hire Sean Ryan to coach quarterbacks

Jan. 25, 2021 06:46 PM EST
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Panthers have hired Sean Ryan as quarterbacks coach and Tony Sparano Jr. as assistant offensive line coach, and announced that...