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By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
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Training camp is officially underway for several NFL teams while others will be easing into camp throughout the next week.
The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers kick off the 2026 preseason with their Hall of Fame Game clash on Thursday, Aug. 6 on NBC, and Week 1 of the preseason officially kicks off the following week on Aug. 13.
As we count down the days until the start of the NFL regular season — which kicks off with a Super Bowl LX rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots on “Sunday Night Football” on Sept. 9 — we continue to look at key offseason storylines for each of the league’s 32 teams.
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This week, we’re looking as the players most in danger of being cut during the preseason, and we’ve arrived at the Carolina Panthers.
A.J. Dillon, RB
Head coach Dave Canales has been raving about former second-round pick Jonathon Brooks this offseason, and after battling injuries that limited him to just three games in his first two seasons, it seems Brooks is primed to get some solid touches in 2026.
Chuba Hubbard is the unquestioned starter, but it doesn’t seem like Carolina has room for Brooks, A.J. Dillon, Trevor Etienne, and Miles Davis to back him up.
Dillon was a strong RB2 in Green Bay, rushing for 803, 770, and 613 yards, respectively, from 2021 to 2023. He’s battled injuries the last two years, and with the stiff RB competition in Carolina, Dillon might not be in Carolina for long.
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John Metchie III, WR
Like running back, the Panthers also have a logjam at receiver too.
The team has a strong 1-2-3 punch with reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, and Jalen Coker plus solid depth options with promising rookie Chris Brazzell II and 2025 sixth-round pick Jimmy Horn Jr.
Metchie has a real chance to carve out a role for himself with the Panthers, but given the increased competition he’ll face, it’s also possible he may be cut before Week 1 gets here.
James Mitchell, TE
The Panthers don’t have a true No. 1 tight end, but the combination of Ja’Tavion Sanders and Tommy Tremble seemed to work fairly well last year.
Carolina likely has just one more TE spot left, leaving Mitchell Evans, Feleipe Franks, and James Mitchell to battle it out.
Franks hasn’t really caught on as a tight end after switching positions from quarterback at Arkansas. But he’s 6-foot-6 and 228 pounds, which is prototypical size for an NFL tight end. Evans logged 19 catches, 171 yards, and two scores last year, while Mitchell caught just three passes for 28 yards, making him the most expendable.
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