Sportsnaut
The Carolina Panthers are headed into the 2025 opener with two major questions hanging over them. Adam Thielen, their most reliable receiver, is gone after a trade back to the Minnesota Vikings. And left tackle Ikem “Ickey” Ekwonu is fresh off an emergency appendectomy that puts his Week 1 availability in doubt. For Bryce Young, that means the season starts with an immediate test.
Finding a New Go-To Receiver
The question now is who replaces Thielen’s production. In his two seasons with Carolina, he caught 151 passes for 1,629 yards and 10 touchdowns, all while serving as Young’s safety blanket. Without him, the Panthers are turning to youth and versatility.
Jalen Coker has emerged as the most natural fit in the slot. Last year, Coker’s slot usage spiked whenever Thielen was out. Second-year receiver Xavier Legette and No. 8 pick Tetairoa McMillan are expected to star outside, with rookie Jimmy Horn Jr. adding speed as a developmental option.
Special teams value also mattered. Brycen Tremayne earned his way onto the roster with standout play in camp and established credibility with the coaching staff. David Moore, another steady presence, remains a trusted veteran. Dalevon Campbell rounds out the group, giving the Panthers seven receivers. That depth left no room for former Pro Bowl receiver Hunter Renfrow, who flashed early in camp but faded with a hamstring injury.
On paper, the Panthers are younger and faster at receiver. In reality, they are less proven, especially in critical situations where Thielen’s consistency showed up most. But that’s the bet Carolina general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales are making in their young draft picks.
The Thielen Trade
On Wednesday, the Vikings acquired Thielen, a 2026 conditional seventh-rounder and a 2027 fifth-round pick from Carolina. The seventh-round pick will become a sixth-round pick if Thielen plays fewer than 10 games or is not on the roster for 14 games. In return, the Panthers received a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-rounder.
For Carolina, the deal was about value and flexibility. The Panthers cleared roughly $7 million in cap space, which they can roll into next year. They also improved their draft inventory at the top of Day 3 in back-to-back seasons. Minnesota, meanwhile, takes on the entirety of Thielen’s base salary, giving Carolina financial breathing room.
Ekwonu’s Appendectomy
Ekwonu’s sudden appendectomy delivered another jolt, as if losing Thielen wasn’t enough of a shakeup. The 2022 first-round pick underwent surgery Sunday night and is listed as day-to-day leading up to the opener. Appendectomies vary in recovery time — some players return to play in just over a week, while others require several weeks to regain full strength.
Head coach Dave Canales has stated that the team is planning for Ekwonu to be ready, while also preparing contingency plans. With the Jacksonville Jaguars’ pass rush looming, protecting Young’s blindside is the most important job on the roster.
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