The Carolina Panthers will officially report to training camp in under a month as preparation begins for the 2026 NFL season. Carolina will report early due to playing in the NFL's Hall of Fame Game. 

But as the countdown goes on, there are some takeaways from OTA's and minicamp. 

Dave Canales and the coaching staff have had an early look at their team for the 2026 season, hosting multiple practices. That includes getting a look at their rookie class, which could be crucial in terms of their success down the line.

One player that is earning some preseason praise is rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II, being named a big offseason surprise.

Following OTA's and minicamp, ESPN looked at the biggest offseason surprises so far for each team. For the Panthers, it was the rookie who earned the honor.

Here is what they had to say about Brazzell in the article: 

The Panthers got some side-eye from critics when they drafted a wide receiver in the third round, with Tetairoa McMillan, the 2025 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, already on the roster. But the 6-foot-5 Brazzell, a lengthy playmaker, is making believers out of Carolina fans as an impact player in OTAs and minicamp.

The former Tennessee standout has good size for the position and as you see above is a 'lengthy' playmaker. That could fit in well with what the Panthers want to do with their offense here in the 2026 season.

Brazzell enters this training camp as the team's No. 4 wide receiver. But he has the chance to move up and earn valuable reps. That's going to require standing out and stacking good days at practice throughout this Summer. 

When Carolina took Brazzell at No. 83 overall, they envisioned him being a key piece to the offense for years to come. Carolina hit big with Tetairoa McMillan last year, as he won the NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year award in his first season. 

Hitting on Brazzell would go a long ways in finding success, especially for quarterback Bryce Young who enters a very important year.