​In under two weeks, the Carolina Panthers will report to training camp, and for the first time in nearly a decade, the roster looks genuinely competitive when measured against the rest of the league. That’s encouraging for the club’s outlook heading into 2026, but it also creates a tougher reality for players who will enter summer workouts on the roster bubble. Here are three players who must have a standout camp to secure their spots.
Horn remains a fan favorite, yet he faces a steep climb to crack the initial 53-man roster. It’s reasonable to assume that Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, Chris Brazzell II, and David Moore have the first five receiver spots locked in. That leaves perhaps a single open receiver slot for the rest to contest. For Horn to earn his place, he’ll likely need to demonstrate his value as a playmaker on special teams—specifically as a kickoff and punt returner—given the special-teams contributions of Brycen Tremayne and Dan Chisena.
Since leaving the Panthers in 2021, Grier has spent considerable time with the Dallas Cowboys and had brief stints with the Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Philadelphia Eagles. The former third-round pick has not appeared in a regular-season game since his rookie season in 2019. With Kenny Pickett seemingly locked in as the quarterback behind Bryce Young, the Panthers aren’t expected to carry three passers into September. If Grier hopes to land on the practice squad, he will need to outperform undrafted rookie Haynes King.
Forsythe’s signing by Carolina, like Grier, raised eyebrows. His four years as a backup in Seattle did little to impress, and his lone season as a starter in Las Vegas yielded modest results. Pro Football Focus graded him at 55.4 overall in 2025, ranking him 75th among 89 qualifying offensive tackles. With spots already spoken for Rasheed Walker, Monroe Freeling, Taylor Moton, and potentially Ikem Ekwonu, the tackle position has limited openings. Forsythe would need to outperform undrafted rookies Isaia Glass and Albert Reese, who may be more cost-effective options for the Panthers.
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