Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker begins the NFL season in the starting unit.
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 21: Jalen Coker #18 of the Carolina Panthers lines up during the first half an NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Bank of America Stadium on August 21, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Executing an out pattern with the first-team offense, Jalen Coker noticed the nickelback “buzzed out” and the Carolina Panthers wide receiver glided down the practice field’s far sideline. Bryce Young, aiming to prove he can become an NFL playoff-caliber quarterback, “put it right on the money,” Coker said.
The long touchdown pass developed during the final training-camp practice Aug. 21 and continued to display Coker’s ability to absorb a bigger role.
“I was running an out, the nickel buzzed out, the corner went over the top, so I was able to kind of take advantage of that free access space back there,” Coker said.
At the time, and through most of the summer, Coker remained in the shade.
Not anymore.
Jalen Coker Proving To Be Special Teamer
Like last season, Coker earned attention by consistently making plays. Even though he started the offseason program down on the depth chart, the second-year undrafted free agent found a way to remain relevant. He started working on special teams.
“We’re gonna play the best guys,” Canales said. “Jalen has really shown to be one of the more reliable guys we have.”
Coker proved it by surviving last Tuesday’s final cuts, making the 53-man roster as one of seven wide receivers. Generally, most clubs carry five or six. On Wednesday, among a flurry of moves, Morgan traded veteran Adam Thielen to the Minnesota Vikings and elevated Coker to a starting slot role.
“Anytime you lose a receiver like Adam, it’s a big loss,” general manager Dan Morgan said during Thursday’s press conference. “But, at the same time, we’re really excited about our young core of receivers.”
Before Thielen’s trade, Coker focused on developing his special-team skills. Throughout the summer, Coker, who posted 32 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie, competed against over 10 receivers vying for a spot on the rebuilding franchise. He attempted to separate himself with versatility.
“I can just control what I can, and what I can control is coming out to practice every day, work, and put good things on film, so that’s how I look at it,” Coker said. “I try not to overthink too many things because that’ll just clutter up my mind and I just have to keep the right path.
“(Special teams are) another opportunity just to get better, work (on) my craft, just kind of put everything together that I’ve been working on this camp and just go out on a strong note.”
Carolina Panthers’ Fielding New WR Corps
With 35-year-old Thielen jettisoned, Young is scheduled to open the regular season with two first-round assets, rookie Tetairoa McMillan, 22, and sophomore Xavier Legette, 24, serving as the top two wideouts. Coker, 23, likely will begin as WR3, with rookie Jimmy Horn Jr., 22, positioned as a primary backup.
The group’s elder statesman, 30-year-old David Moore, joined Coker by practicing with the kickoff and punt crews. Brycen Tremayne, 25, was a surprising training-camp standout. He also holds special-teams value.
Rookie Dalevon Campbell, 23, was added after cutdown day and rounded out a unit with an average age of 24. Morgan remains confident in the collective.
“We feel we have a good young stable of wideouts who were mentored by a guy like Thielen,” Morgan said. “They’re more mature than their age, more polished than their age.”
They will need to be. The Panthers, who have not qualified for the playoffs since 20127, open the regular season with two road games, beginning with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 7.
“TMac’s doing it every day; XL’s doing it every day; Coker’s doing it every day,” Morgan said. “Jalen Coker is going to step into the slot. We have guys that we’re really excited about, and I think that definitely made me feel more comfortable pulling the trigger and trading (Thielen).”