Panthers-Jaguars Joint Practice Takeaways: Tre’von Moehrig sparks the powder keg, Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan connection shines
The Carolina Panthers just wrapped up a joint practice against the Jacksonville Jaguars and showed positive life on offense, but also some more concerns on defense, ahead of Friday’s preseason game.
The Carolina Panthers wrapped up their first joint practice of the preseason against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Wednesday ahead of Friday’s matchup between the two teams. It was a chippy, back-and-forth session that started slow for Carolina before the offense found a groove, though the defense on both sides came out on top by the end of the day.
Several storylines emerged from the practice field, ranging from encouraging offensive tackle reps to a recurring defensive concern that continues to linger from previous seasons.
Monroe Freeling and Rasheed Walker get valuable reps against Jacksonville’s edge rushers
The practice opened with one-on-one drills, and the Panthers’ two starting offensive tackles made strong first impressions against some of the Jaguars’ most talented pass rushers. Rookie right tackle Monroe Freeling had a quality rep against Jacksonville edge rusher Josh Hines-Allen, while left tackle Rasheed Walker matched up against former first-round pick Travon Walker.
Getting those controlled one-on-one reps against highly touted edge rushers is exactly the kind of opportunity joint practices are designed to provide, and both tackles took advantage.
“This was great,” head coach Dave Canales told reporters after practice. “[Freeling] had a chance to sit on that right side in one-on-ones with Walker and Hines-Allen over there. They won a couple times. Monroe sat in there, he’s big and strong, sat down and protected the pocket like he’s supposed to. It was the same in the practice, some good some bad, but battling… It’s good to see him take that next step.”
On the injury front, tackle Ikem Ekwonu was spotted working out to the side working with trainer early at practice. Taylor Moton also made an appearance on the sideline with trainers, marking his first sighting since it was revealed he is dealing with blood clots. Both are players Carolina wants to eventually fold back into the lineup at some point during the 2026 season, but for now, Freeling and Walker are holding down the starting spots.
Tight end coverage remains a problem for Carolina’s defense
The defensive side of the ball had a rough start, particularly against tight ends in red zone drills. That has been a recurring theme under defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, whose defense has allowed 22 touchdowns to the tight end position over the last three seasons.
The hope was that the addition of former Jaguars first-round linebacker Devin Lloyd, one of the Panthers’ prized free agent signings, could help address that weakness. But during the early red zone period, Jacksonville’s tight ends were cooking Carolina’s defense. Brenton Strange, rookie Nate Boerkircher, and Tanner Koziol all connected for touchdowns during the red zone drills.
Three tight end touchdowns in that period is a concerning sight, especially given how much the Panthers have struggled with keeping tight ends out of the end zone in recent years. It remains a problem that Evero’s staff needs to figure out before the regular season, and we’ll see how his unit looks in that department on Friday.
Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan light it up on downfield connections
The offense came alive once quarterback Bryce Young started uncorking the deep ball. Young was sharp with play-action looks, connecting with wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan for multiple big gains throughout the joint practice session. He also launched a deep bomb to tight end Mitchell Evans for an explosive touchdown.
The real highlight of the day, though, was the connection between Young and McMillan. The two hooked up for two touchdowns and three catches during the red zone period alone, including a 20-yard touchdown pass and a 25-yard completion over two defenders. One one red zone score, Young was under pressure and lofted it up to McMillan, who came down with it.
“Bryce just puts it into a spot where only I can get it,” McMillan said after practice. “He just made it easy for me.”
That chemistry between the quarterback and his top target continues to develop and looked even more impressive against an opposing defense. It’s an encouraging sign for the Panthers passing game heading into the season.
Tre’von Moehrig’s physicality starts another fight
Safety Tre’von Moehrig brought the physicality everyone expected heading into Wednesday’s session. Going back to last year’s joint practice against the Houston Texans, Moehrig started a fight in that session and ahead of today’s practice, Joe Person of The Athletic had a great feature on Moehrig detailing the mentality he planned to bring.
“I’m not gonna say I’m just gonna go out there and cause a fight. I’m not looking to do any of that,” Moehrig said, via The Athletic. “But definitely when it’s a different opponent, you don’t have that kind of relationship or bond with those kinds of guys. So if it gets hostile, it gets hostile. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. I’m gonna still do my job at the end of the day and be physical and play my play style. We’ll see what happens.”
Moehrig’s physicality showed up again after delivering a massive hit on Jaguars wide receiver Tim Jones across the middle, then stood over him after laying the blow. A little skirmish broke out afterward, which was to be expected for a player who usually lets his pads do the talking. Moehrig’s hit set the tone for the rest of the day, and the Panthers remain high on what the physical safety can bring to this defense.
