The heavy lifting of the Carolina Panthers' 2026 roster overhaul is officially in the rearview mirror. With defensive playmakers like Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd now in the fold, plus a draft class that added promising depth on offense, this team is shaping up to be the most exciting Panthers squad in years. But before we get to kickoff, there's still a full offseason calendar to navigate. Here are the key dates every Panthers fan needs to know.
May 8-9: Rookie Minicamp
Mother Nature is cooperating just in time for the Panthers to get their first look at the newest generation of talent. All seven draft picks, 11 undrafted free agents, and a handful of tryout players will take the field Friday and Saturday. This is where the journey begins—watching these rookies get their first taste of NFL life and start acclimating to the speed and expectations of the pros.
Mid-May: NFL Schedule Reveal
The league has kept us waiting a bit longer than usual this year, but the official 2026 schedule is expected to drop within the next two weeks. In past seasons, the reveal came the week after this one. Either way, it's the moment we all circle on the calendar—when we finally know exactly when and where the Panthers will battle their way back to relevance.
May 26-27, 29: OTAs Begin
The full team gathers for the first official organized team activities. While these are technically voluntary, attendance is always high as players start building chemistry and shaking off the rust. June will bring a second round of OTAs followed by mandatory minicamp in the middle of the month—that's when we really start getting the juiciest reports on player progress and position battles.
July 15: Franchise Tag Deadline
Any player currently on the franchise tag must sign a multi-year deal by this date, or they'll play out the 2026 season on the one-year tender. It's a hard deadline that often sparks last-minute negotiations across the league.
Mid-July: Training Camp Opens (Early!)
Here's where things get really interesting for Panthers fans. Carolina is participating in the Hall of Fame Game this year, which means they'll open training camp a full week ahead of the rest of the league. Based on last year's Hall of Fame participants, expect camp to kick off between July 16th and 19th. That's an extra week of practices, an extra week of evaluation, and an extra week of getting this revamped roster ready for what promises to be a season worth waiting for.