Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Once again, Panthers LB Frankie Luvu made his presence felt. And this time, it came in a win.
The Carolina Panthers finally secured their first win of 2022—topping their NFC South rival New Orleans Saints, 22-14. And that victory wouldn’t come without some notable performances—both good and bad.
Here are our studs and duds from Sunday’s game.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick has nothing but praise for Johnny Hekker.
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick still has admiration for Carolina Panthers punter Johnny Hekker, as the Patriots work with the Carolina Panthers in joint practices.
Hekker has put together a solid career with four Pro Bowls and four First-Team All-Pro nods. The Oregon State product was named to the NFL 2010’s All-Decade team and was a staple of the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams special-teams unit from 2012-2021.
He most recently was named to the Pro Football Focus All-Pro Second Team in 2018. Belichick referred to the punter as a “weapon” when New England faced Los Angeles in 2016. The coach had further admiration for the punter prior to the Patriots taking on the Rams in Super Bowl LIII.
Now, the punter is a face of a revamped special teams unit for a Panthers team that is looking to turn the corner. Belichick had nothing but praise for that revamped unit during a session with the media, via Sean T. McGuire of NESN.com.
“They changed coordinators in the kicking game and the acquisition of Hekker and (returner Andre) Roberts I’m sure will impact those units dramatically,” Belichick said. “So this is a great opportunity for us to work against a good, quality football team that has a lot of good players, that’s well coached and that’s established a lot of strong things on the field. And I think, again, you can see where they’ve tried to address some things and I’m sure those will be better too.”
The Panthers ranked 30th in the league with 42.5 yards per punt last season. per statistics from Statmuse. Adding a punter of Hekker’s caliber could help them change the downward trend.
As the Panthers face unknowns with their revamped special teams unit, one thing is certain: Hekker will always have a fan in Belichick.
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The Panthers now have some uniform number changes to go along with their fancy new helmets.
Pretty big week for the Carolina Panthers’ 2022 aesthetic, huh?
Following Tuesday’s mind-blowing reveal of the team’s new black helmets, Friday brought along a bit of housecleaning in the wardrobe. The Panthers have confirmed eight uniform number selections, including that of quarterback Baker Mayfield’s No. 6.
As already announced by the man himself, Mayfield was able to pry his preference away from punter Johnny Hekker. The 27-year-old passer has worn the No. 6 through his time with Texas Tech University, the University of Oklahoma and, most recently, the Cleveland Browns.
While the specific details of the transaction will probably remain under wraps, we do know what number Hekker has now pivoted to. The six-time All-Pro has decided on No. 10, which was last worn by punter Lac Edwards for 10 games during the 2021 campaign.
Here are today’s uniform number changes in their entirety:
| Previous | Current | |
| QB Baker Mayfield | – | 6 |
| P Johnny Hekker | 6 | 10 |
| WR Ra’Shaun Henry | 10 | 13 |
| S Xavier Woods | 20 | 25 |
| LB Arron Mosby | 90 | 46 |
| LB Khalan Tolson | 94 | 48 |
| DE Amaré Barno | 46 | 90 |
| LB Jacob Tuioti-Mariner | 48 | 94 |
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Panthers P Johnny Hekker was the proud owner of the team’s No. 6 uniform . . . until Baker Mayfield came along two months later with what we assume was a pretty penny.
Due to the NFL’s jersey number restrictions—as well as the gentlemen occupying Nos. 2 through 12 and Nos. 14 through 19—new Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield only had two open choices for his uniform. He could either opt for the unlucky No. 13 or see what he could do with No. 1 and subsequently get banished into the shadow realm for disrespecting the greatest player in franchise history.
So, he opted for a third avenue and made his own choice.
According to Mayfield himself, he has acquired his No. 6—which he wore at Texas Tech University, the University of Oklahoma and with the Cleveland Browns—from punter Johnny Hekker.
“I guess it’s time to break the news,” Mayfield said in his opening presser on Tuesday. “Made a deal. Did my own negotiating with Johnny. Obviously, when it comes to a four-time All-Pro, had to ask permission. And was willing to make those sacrifices. He’s a guy that . . . he’s got a chip on his shoulder as well, ya know. Undrafted free agent. Spent his whole career with the Rams. Now he’s got a chip on his shoulder. Nah, I’ve had fun getting to know him over the phone. He seems like a great guy and a great leader.”
The former Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick went on to explain why he was willing to “make those sacrifices” to get that number.
“6 is special to me, not because it was ever my favorite number, it was the number I was given as a walk-on at Texas Tech. And when I transferred, the people at Oklahoma thought it was my favorite number. So they just gave it to me again. And so, it’s just stuck with me. To me, it kinda symbolizes my story. My history with that. I truly enjoy being able to represent that. And it’s something special to me now. But at first, it was not. So I’m thankful for Johnny being reasonable and giving up his number for such a veteran of that many years.”
And Hekker’s response . . . ?
— Johnny Hekker (@JHekker) July 12, 2022
Although the exact details of the agreement were not disclosed, Hekker’s uniform choice 57 days ago was very likely a prosperous one.
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Baker Mayfield did some negotiating to get No. 6 from Johnny Hekker in Carolina
Whether through contract talks or jersey numbers, everything is a negotiation. Baker Mayfield was dealt to the Carolina Panthers by the Cleveland Browns and had to make some financial accommodations.
On Tuesday, Mayfield was part of another deal, getting his familiar No. 6 for Carolina from punter Johnny Hekker.
“I guess it’s time to break the news. I made a deal, did my own negotiating with Johnny,” Mayfield said as he was introduced to the media. “Obviously, when it comes to a four-time All-Pro, had to ask permission, you know.”
Hekker had some fun on social media with what it took for Mayfield to land No. 6.
— Johnny Hekker (@JHekker) July 12, 2022
Hekker had worn No. 6 for his entire NFL career. He wore No. 7 at Oregon State.
Hekker said Mayfield sent along an initial message through “The Godfather” (Panthers equipment manager Don Toner), setting the stage for the switch.
“Gas prices are crazy these days, so you’ve got to do what you can do to keep the tank full,” Hekker joked. “But in all reality, it’s kind of a fresh start for both of us here in Carolina. You want a quarterback who can feel good about what they’re playing in. I’m excited to get a fresh start in a new number for the first time in my career.
“It’ll be a great deal for Baker to have a little bit of familiarity, and feel himself in number 6.”
Hekker’s new digit or digits have yet to be revealed on the team roster.
Oh, he got PAID.
When the Carolina Panthers acquired Baker Mayfield in a trade with the Cleveland Browns, it was quickly apparent that the quarterback’s options for jersey numbers were limited. Out of the Panthers’ QB-eligible numbers, only No. 1 (Cam Newton’s old number) and No. 13 were available. Mayfield’s preferred No. 6 was claimed by punter Johnny Hekker.
Well, the good news for Hekker was that Mayfield seemed to be a highly motivated buyer when it came to that number.
During his Tuesday media availability, Mayfield confirmed that we would wear No. 6 with the Panthers after striking a deal with Hekker to purchase the number. Hekker had initially purchased the number from backup quarterback P.J. Walker, so it’s safe to assume that the punter flipped the digit for a nice profit.
Hekker’s tweet would definitely suggest as much.
— Johnny Hekker (@JHekker) July 12, 2022
Good for Johnny — taking advantage of the market there.
Mayfield explained that the jersey number was important to him given his rise from walk-on to Heisman Trophy winner to No. 1 overall pick.
Baker Mayfield says he’s made a deal with punter Johnny Hekker to get the No. 6 jersey from him.
“Six is a special number to me. It was the number I was given as a walk-on. It symbolizes my story.”
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 12, 2022
I’m sure negotiations for that jersey number were fierce, and fans understandably loved Hekker’s reaction to the pay day.
Although the Panthers still don’t have a good answer under center, they’ve made a handful of important additions this offseason. So, let’s rank ’em!
The first big step Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule needed to take in 2022 was, well, taken. As we sit here now, on June 22, we can say that the man has pieced together a largely successful offseason to this point.
Although they remain void of an actual answer under center, the additions around that particular spot have put this Panthers team in a better position to succeed this upcoming season. So, let’s take a look (and rank) Carolina’s top acquisitions of the past few months.
The Rams signed 17 undrafted rookies and there is one that has a better shot than the others to make the roster ahead of the 2022 season.
It is pure chaos after the NFL draft for teams as they attempt to sign undrafted rookies to contracts and the 2022 NFL draft wasn’t an exception. Once Mr. Irrelevant (Brock Purdy) was taken by the 49ers with the 262nd overall pick in this year’s draft, teams immediately began announcing signings with undrafted rookies, including the Los Angeles Rams.
Undrafted rookies sign on with teams for the opportunity to earn a roster spot and potentially carve out a role. Given the organization’s strategy of going with proven players over early-round draft picks, undrafted rookies likely have a better chance to find a role on the Rams.
With the dust now settled, Los Angeles signed a total of 17 undrafted rookies. Of the 17 undrafted rookies the Rams have brought in, which one has the best chance to earn a spot on the 53-man roster?
The easy choice is Cameron Dicker, the kicking specialist out of Texas. Instead of using one of their draft picks on a punter, the Rams went out and immediately signed Dicker as an undrafted free agent.
Following the release of longtime punter, Johnny Hekker, the Rams need a new punter. While the team signed veteran Riley Dixon in the offseason, Dicker should still have an opportunity to compete for the starting job.
Dicker spent four years at Texas, most of which was as the team’s placekicker. In his four collegiate seasons, Dicker converted 60 of his 79 field-goal attempts and he made 206 of his 210 extra-point tries.
It wouldn’t be until his senior season in 2021 when Dicker began punting full-time for the Longhorns. Despite having a limited number of punts before 2021, Dicker finished this past season with 46.8 yards per punt on 47 punts, with a long of 78 yards.
Even though Dicker spent most of his time at kicker, the Rams already have Matt Gay to handle field goals. Dixon has six years of experience at the punter position, but it remains to be seen if he’ll be able to beat out the undrafted rookie in Dicker.
Let the battle of the punters commence.
After having lost some sleep when playing against him for the past decade, Panthers ST coordinator Chris Tabor is glad P Johnny Hekker is now on his side.
Johnny Hekker has been a problem for Chris Tabor over the past decade. But now that the two are together with the Carolina Panthers, the six-time All-Pro boot is a good problem to have for the experienced special teams coordinator.
On Thursday, Tabor made his debut on the mic in front of the Charlotte media. And he, obviously, didn’t go through his session without expressing his excitement for finally having the potent punter on his side.
“Well, I’ve played against him a bunch of times, and I’ve lost a lot of sleep playing against him,” Tabor said of Hekker. “He’s a great athlete. Obviously, he’s been one of the best punters in the league. If you think about it and just look at him statistically, last year the Rams only had nine punts returned against them the entire year. Most teams you’re probably anywhere from the 35 to 40 range there. So just him taking away returners, punt location.”
Hekker, who signed a three-year, $7.6 million deal with the Panthers out of free agency, only had nine of his 51 attempts returned in 2021. That was also good enough for an accumulation of 2,172 net yards, which is pretty impressive considering the Rams offense isn’t one that had to punt away too often.
But Hekker’s leg isn’t the only problem he can create for the opposition. The former quarterback has proven he’s an asset with his arm as well.
“But the other thing is, being such a great athlete, he can throw the football now,” Tabor added. “And that opens up a lot of doors. And it challenges you as a coach also to be creative with him because you have to play defense first as a punt return team. He creates problems and I’m really glad he’s here as opposed to facing him.”
With trickery often afoot, or at least as a lingering threat, Hekker has completed 14 of his 23 career throws for 186 yards and a touchdown. So Tabor and the Panthers can certainly get a little funky at times if needed.
And that’ll ultimately be up to Tabor, who can now create the havoc with Hekker instead of bracing for it.
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Panthers P Johnny Hekker has a higher career passer rating than any of the team’s current QBs.
The Carolina Panthers have had themselves quite a sound offseason thus far. And part of their harmonious retooling has seen a bevy of fresh faces added to the roster.
So, in helping you get to know the new guys a little bit better, we’ll give you four interesting facts about each free-agent signing the Panthers have made.
Let’s keep kicking with punter Johnny Hekker.
