Unfortunately, it’s that time of year again for the Carolina Panthers.
With the regular season wrapping up yesterday and no playoff games to look forward to, these cats’ 2022 campaign is officially over. All that’s left is to pick up the pieces . . . literally.
As the players clean out their lockers this afternoon, here—courtesy of some of the best beat reporters out there—are a few useful nuggets we learned from pack-up day.
K Eddy Piñeiro says he hasn’t had any conversations regarding his future with the Panthers, but he said he’d love to be back here.
Piñeiro heads into free agency this offseason, was added to the roster after Zane Gonzalez’s preseason injury
— Augusta Stone (@augustalstone) January 9, 2023
DJ Moore told me he wants Steve Wilks to be their next head coach. He hadn’t said much on the matter until then.
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) January 9, 2023
Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor started a special teams points competition for the #Panthers this year. Sam Franklin was the inaugural winner after surging through the final few weeks to pass Johnny Hekker. Franklin says everyone took the board seriously.
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) January 9, 2023
Jaycee Horn says he was going to play if the Panthers made the playoffs.
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) January 9, 2023
Panthers cleaning out lockers today for the last time this year.
Josh Norman asked if he still wants to play next year.
“I know I still can.”
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023
Donte Jackson says he’s “100 percent” sure he’ll be back from his torn Achilles in time for training camp.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) January 9, 2023
Panthers LG Brady Christensen rolls through on a medical scooter, left ankle in a cast. He said he suffered a fracture yesterday but is optimistic.
With RG Austin Corbett getting an MRI on his knee, there are some significant tests happening.
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023
C Bradley Bozeman says he and his wife love Charlotte and want to stay with the Panthers, but he also understands the business aspect of the league. He’ll be a free agent this offseason.
— Augusta Stone (@augustalstone) January 9, 2023
I asked Foreman if he wants to return to Carolina and he said he absolutely wants to return, adding that he’s told everyone in the building to “bring me back” pic.twitter.com/NRgxeWHeLB
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) January 9, 2023
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Sam Darnold says he’s probably going to shave the beard in the next couple of days.— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) January 9, 2023
Austin Corbett will have an MRI on his knee today.
I asked him what he think he did to it: “Everything you don’t want to happen in week 18.”Let’s pray he’s wrong.
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) January 9, 2023
A lot of players voicing support for interim coach Steve Wilks, including Brian Burns.
“Wilks is my dog. I love Wilks.”
Said he’s proven himself. “He’s qualified in many ways.”
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 9, 2023
Panthers long snapper J.J. Jansen, a pending free agent who turns 37 this month, says he has "four or five more" years in him.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) January 9, 2023
