The Carolina Panthers started their preseason and with that, second-year head coach Dave Canales is trying some new stuff. He wants all of his players to be focused and help Bryce Young. One of those players played made his coach mad with his actions during a preseason game.
It’s not unusual for teams to cut their players’ time on the field during preseason. However, they want to do it on their own terms. That’s why you can imagine Dave Canales is not happy with wide receiver Xavier Legette, who got ejected during the team’s second offensive series for fighting with Cleveland’s cornerback Rayshawn Mitchell.
After the game, Canales said via the team’s website, “We ask our receivers to finish the play with hands on. The guy swung and chopped his arms down…then they started exchanging punches. You can’t do that, neither side, both guys got ejected, rightly so. It’s a physical game; can’t handle that, tempers are going to get hot, but as soon as you throw a punch, all of a sudden we’re at a disadvantage. So we want to see better from X for sure.”
Legette snaps are in jeopardy
Legette was drafted 32nd overall last season. Being a first-rounder means a lot in the NFL, but his rookie season was nothing to awe at. He ended his rookie year with 49 catches for 497 yards and four touchdowns. While it’s not bad, it’s not what you expect from a first-round receiver.
Xavier Legette #17 of the Carolina Panthers warms up before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 08, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Besides, the NFL waits for no one. Hence, the Panthers went and grabbed new faces to help Bryce Young. Those receivers could very well be on pace to take Legette’s snaps if he doesn’t improve. This ill-disciplined decisions won’t help his case either.
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Bryce Young’s teammate warns the NFL about an upgrade on the Panthers for the 2025 season
The Panthers do have talent on the receiving corp
One of the new faces is another first-round pick, Tetairoa McMillan. The difference, Tet McMillan is widely regarded as the best wideout in this draft class. Also, the team brought NFL veteran Hunter Remfrow, who might be a sleeper pick to be Comeback Player of the Year. Canales has been raving about him and his route running is just too good, he is always getting open.
If you add the fact that the team already has the services of Adam Thielen, the receiving corp is more than deep. Hence, if Legette doesn’t start to impress, he might fall all the way to fourth on the depth chart.
