SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Carolina Panthers report to their 2022 NFL training camp Tuesday at Wofford College. Here’s a closer look at a few storylines heading into camp:

The most compelling position battle: Quarterback easily. General manager Scott Fitterer added competition at every position to strengthen the overall roster. But the biggest question remains quarterback, as it has been since the middle of the 2018 season, when Cam Newton began to struggle with a shoulder injury. Trading for former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield three weeks before training camp reinforced that the Panthers aren’t comfortable that Sam Darnold can lead them to the playoffs. Fitterer saying both quarterbacks will get equal reps in camp further emphasizes the uncertainty, particularly after all the praise heaped on Darnold during offseason workouts. Fitterer didn’t just trade for a veteran quarterback, he traded for one that led the Cleveland Browns to an 11-5 record and a playoff win in 2020. Darnold is 17-32 as a starter and has never been to the playoffs. He also went 4-7 last season in his first year with the Panthers after a 3-0 start. Mayfield’s dynamic personality versus Darnold’s stoic disposition also makes this compelling.

The player with the most to prove: This could be Darnold. Or Mayfield. But for the sake of not piling onto the quarterback spot let’s go with running back Christian McCaffrey. When healthy, he’s one of the best, most versatile weapons in the NFL. What McCaffrey has to prove is he can stay healthy. He’s played in only 10 of 33 games the past two seasons because of injuries. The Panthers are 6-17 without him during that span. Coach Matt Rhule calls it bad luck that injuries have impacted McCaffrey’s playing time, noting all have been of the soft tissue variety. But McCaffrey was concerned enough during the offseason that he contacted Hall of Fame back Marshall Faulk for training advice in hopes something will help him stay on the field more. A healthy McCaffrey will make it easier for Darnold or Mayfield to prove themselves.

The biggest question: Again, let’s avoid quarterback and go with will the rebuilt offensive line be an upgrade? This group was a disaster in 2021, allowing the fifth-most sacks (52). So Fitterer made a commitment to fix it. He added guard Austin Corbett and center Bradley Bozeman in free agency. He made Ikem Ekwonu the sixth overall pick of the draft to play left tackle. That was the first time Carolina spent a first-round pick on an offensive lineman since Jeff Otah in 2008. Pro Football Focus’ Michael Renner ranked the revamped line 24th, and in his words a “conservative estimate for what was one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL last season — but it's one that is now bursting with potential after multiple offseason moves." The additions, with Taylor Moton already one of the top right tackles in the league and second-year player Brady Christensen likely at guard, makes this group a big upgrade on paper. But until they come together on the field, it remains a question.

The Robbie Anderson factor: During the offseason the 29-year-old wide receiver changed the spelling of his first name from Robby to Robbie, changed his jersey number from 11 to 3 and changed his mind about possible retirement by deleting the reference in a tweet. And when news first surfaced that Carolina might trade for Mayfield he responded on Twitter with “Nooooo." But what Anderson needs to change the most is returning to the production he had in 2020 when he had 95 catches for 1,096 yards. If he’s in the 53-catch mode he was a year ago that will put a lot of pressure on second-year receiver Terrace Marshall Jr., who struggled as a rookie. That will put a lot more pressure on whoever starts at quarterback. Outside of DJ Moore, who has topped 1,000 yards receiving three straight years, the Panthers don’t have another proven receiver outside of Anderson.

Camp prediction: Mayfield won’t be the starting quarterback, at least initially. This may come as a shock to the 91.6% on my informal Twitter poll that predicted Mayfield would be the Week 1 starter. But Darnold has an entire offseason learning Ben McAdoo’s system and the terminology to his advantage. Darnold is also healthy while Mayfield is about six months removed from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left non-throwing shoulder. He’s on track to a full recovery, but that’s still an obstacle to overcome. Darnold has nothing to lose for the first time in his NFL career, so he has less pressure than the top pick of the 2018 draft.