Panthers

Kenny Pickett enters his first season as the Panthers’ backup quarterback after signing a one-year deal this offseason. Pickett said he’s putting an extra emphasis on plays he makes mistakes on in training camp.

“It’s really whatever throws that I missed, or that we didn’t connect on in practice, we’re just trying to get again,” Pickett said, via Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer. “Or sometimes it’s reps that I didn’t get in the install that day that I want to rep and throw spots for them, just to make sure I’m staying on top of everything. The ones you make… But then the ones you miss, or the ones that you were excited to rep and you may have missed, they definitely linger.”

Panthers HC Dave Canales said Pickett has done well to study their system and is often looking for feedback. 

“He’s in there early, he’s ready to go,” Canales said. “He knows the script. He knows what’s happening. He’s asking great questions. He’s bringing things up from places he’s been in the past. It’s exactly right. As the backup quarterback, that’s one of your jobs. We’re all in there in that room to support Bryce. And his best way of doing it is to make sure he’s on his stuff, and is on time and on the money, and pushing the practices so we can evaluate. Because even though you can’t take every single rep, when Kenny goes out there and continues to move the offense, or can make a concept come alive, that’s very valuable film. Those are valuable cut-ups that we can use as teach-tape, for now and for the future. So it’s so important to have him here. And he’s done a great job.”

Pickett mentioned that he communicates a lot with QB Bryce Young, QB Haynes King, QBs coach Will Harriger, and pass game coordinator Mike Bercovici about how things should operate in their scheme. 

“Each play has a process, each concept has a process, where we’re starting, where we’re progressing to,” Pickett said. “There are also alerts at each play. ‘OK, if we get a premier look, we’re going to take a shot.’ So all those little minute details. What are the defenses doing? ‘Hey, if they’re tilted this way, they’re trying to bring a blitz this way.’ After every session, every play, in the film room with (QB coach Will Harriger) and (offensive pass game coordinator Mike Bercovici) and Haynes King, we’re always all in there talking about everything. Which is an open floor of communication. It’s a fun place to be.”

• Mike Kaye reports that King sustained a hamstring injury in the Hall of Fame game, with HC Dave Canales adding he would miss at least a week.

Panthers

Panthers OLB Jaelan Phillips said OLB Princely Umanmielen has the natural traits to become a special pass rusher.

“I think he has a very good natural feel for pass rushing, and I think his ceiling is extremely high,” Phillips said, via the team’s website. “He’s probably the best pass rusher on our team. I think that he is extremely naturally gifted, and I think that as he continues to develop, he can be a very special player. I think that he already has crazy attributes, and you know he’s definitely learning. He’s young, so I’m excited to watch him grow. He’s athletic. He has crazy bend, really good feel.”

Panthers HC Dave Canales said the next step for Umanmielen is becoming a more complete defender who can consistently handle every type of assignment.

“Just take the next step,” Canales said. “We know he’s got pass rush. Can he be consistent in execution across the board with different play styles, with different play types, whether it’s play action, run game, the different types of runs and how the outside linebacker has to play those runs? He’s got to have all those things in his tool belt to be able to know how to take on different blocks, the sift blocks from tight ends, the bluff blocks, taking on tackles, gap schemes, all those things. It’s all just gathering that information so that he can be the complete player we believe he can be, that can rush the passer, but that can also give you valuable downs on first and second down.”

Umanmielen said improving his habits away from football has helped him become a more disciplined player.

“I feel like I just tried to hone in on everything in my life as a whole,” Umanmielen said. “I improved my sleep quality, how long I go to sleep, I improved my nutrition, start taking vitamins. I started reading more. I just try to execute discipline in all areas of my life.”

Saints

Tyler Shough emerged as the Saints’ starting quarterback last season after beginning as a backup. Going into 2026, Shough wants to take the role “fully by the reins.”

“This year, I think for me, I wanted to take it fully by the reins, and there wasn’t necessarily like, ‘Hey, you’re the starter,’” Shough said, via SaintsWire. “It was an expectation of how do we keep elevating. So I think I just wanted to do everything I can to make sure that I’m getting better and they can count on me.”

• Saints DE Cameron Jordan is dealing with a hamstring injury, and QB Kellen Moore says the team will be gathering more information on the issue, which could be of concern. (Triplett)