Transcript: Panthers Head Coach Press Conference



What does it mean to you or the team to have such a great winning record at home this season?

Having a great winning record at home last season meant a lot to this team and this fanbase. Defending our turf is a point of pride, and we want every team that steps into our stadium to know they’re in for a battle. The scheduling gods have been kind to us this year, blessing us with two home games to kick off the season against teams that were right there with us fighting for a wildcard spot last year. These aren’t just games—they’re statements. We view them as solid tests, and starting the season at home gives us a chance to build momentum early.

We’re lucky to have these matchups on our turf because there’s nothing quite like the energy of our home crowd to set the tone. And looking ahead, having five home games in the first eight weeks is a gift we don’t plan on wasting. It’s about setting a standard and showing that last season’s success at home wasn’t a fluke—it’s the baseline. We know how important it is to protect our house, and we’re laser-focused on making sure that any team coming here leaves knowing exactly how tough it is to play us on our field.










How has Taysom Hill’s experience in the league helped the team so far?

Taysom Hill has been a huge part of this team, and we’re thrilled to have him back. His versatility and leadership were pivotal during our run last season, and it’s hard to overstate just how much he brings to the table. Whether it’s throwing, running, blocking, or catching, Taysom does it all, and he does it at a high level. But beyond the stats, it’s the way he elevates the players around him that makes him so valuable. He sets a tone with his work ethic and willingness to do whatever the team needs, and that’s infectious in the locker room.

This offseason, we made some moves to add guys we think can learn from Taysom and, at the very least, try to fill the role he’s carved out for us when the time comes. But let’s be real—Taysom is one of a kind, and we’re fortunate to have him leading the way. He’s a Swiss Army knife on the field and a glue guy off it, and his presence makes us a better team in every sense of the word. We’re looking forward to seeing what he does this season because, as always, we know he’s going to find a way to make an impact.

What is the status of Micah McFadden and when is he set to return?

We’re really excited about adding Micah McFadden to our team this offseason. He’s a tremendous player who we think will play a key role for us at the middle linebacker spot alongside Trevin. Micah is one of those guys who just knows how to find the football. His ability to make open-field tackles is something we’ve been excited about since the moment we brought him in. He’s a smart, instinctive player who understands how to read offenses and make plays, and we think he’s going to be a great fit in our defense.

Unfortunately, he got dinged up early in the preseason and will miss the rest of it, but the good news is that it’s not a long-term concern. He’s been staying engaged, learning the system, and doing everything he can to be ready for Week 1. We’re confident he’ll be back and ready to contribute when the regular season kicks off. Having a guy like Micah anchoring the middle of our defense is going to be a big asset for us, and we can’t wait to see him out there making plays.