Heading into training camp, head coach Dave Canales had to figure out how to get wide receivers former first-round draft pick Xavier Legette, 2025 first-round draft pick Tetairoa McMillan, last season standout Jalen Coker, veteran Adam Thielen, and comeback story Hunter Renfrow reps to satisfy them all.

Coker impressed a lot of people in his rookie season. There was some buzz coming out of the previous training camp that the undrafted receiver from the FCS level, Holy Cross, was a future player, but no one saw the type of impact he would eventually make.

He registered 478 receiving yards, on a smidge under 15 yards per catch, and two touchdowns – immediately jumping in the conversation in Charlotte.

However, with Thielen, McMillan, and Legette in the mix, it was going to be a committee.

The word out of camp this season, though, was that Coker was stealing the show, and it eventually caused Carolina to look for trading partners for the 10-year veteran in Thielen.

Legette had the potential to be a deep, playmaking threat, and he immediately became a fan favorite due to his Carolina roots and eclectic personality. Still, the consistency wasn’t there as a rookie, while Coker provided the stability needed for quarterback Bryce Young as he snuck into the rotation.

McMillan is another deep threat who can catch the 50/50 balls with ease.

Along the way, another undrafted receiver, Jimmy Horn Jr., impressed Panthers brass enough to grant him a spot on the 53-man roster this season.

The writing was on the wall for Thielen, who Carolina was shopping around before the season, and ultimately sent him back to where not only his career started, but his home, in the Minnesota Vikings. Not only that, the Panthers cut Renfrow, offering him the opportunity to look elsewhere.

After the Thielen trade, Coker was named the starting slot receiver, a role that is now often becoming the WR1 for numerous NFL teams.

After years of waiting in the abyss, the Panthers finally had everything figured out.

Until they didn’t.

Shortly after, Coker was placed on IR due to a quad injury and won’t be eligible to return until after the first four weeks of the season.

Joe Person from The Athletic voiced a lot of concern for Coker’s injury. Apparently, the quad that had sidelined him was the same quad that kept him out for three games last season. Not only that, but Canales wasn’t overly thrilled with his conditioning over the offseason.

It immediately sent shockwaves through the locker room, and all of a sudden, Legette will need to step up and take charge of the receiver room in his sophomore season, and McMillan, who has yet to play a regular season snap will also be called upon.

Renfrow will likely be asked to take on more of a load after missing two seasons with ulcerative colitis. And Horn may also see more snaps to start his NFL career.

Luck hasn’t been on the Panthers' side for a number of seasons, and this is no exception. But it does open a door for receivers looking to get back on the wagon.