CHARLOTTE — For the second year in a row, the Panthers are welcoming the New York Jets to a joint practice, but this time, it's in the Queen City.

The Panthers are 5-3 all-time against the Jets. Carolina is 4-1 at home and 1-2 on the road at New York.

Ahead of the joint practice on Thursday and game on Saturday, here what to know about the Jets:

Rodgers will test the defense

Aaron Rodgers is known for being one of the most cerebral players to ever play the game. His extensive knowledge of defenses from years of playing, coupled with a legendary memory recall stresses even the best units before the ball is even snapped, something he did with Evero's unit last season. A year later, Evero is hoping Rodgers does the same, giving an exam of sorts to the Panthers defense.

"He's just pointing everything out and it's just like, ok, that's an example of why we emphasize the disguise so much, right? And it's not just the safety sitting back. If those linebackers aren't tied into it, if the front isn't tied into it, the elite guys are going to point that out," Evero explained.

"And so like, I just think that we can talk about it all we want, but having a guy up there literally out of the huddle, he's pointing everything out, I mean, I think that really speaks volumes to the players."

Rodgers is coming off an infamous Achilles tear that ended his 2023 campaign after four plays. Taking that into account along with his near two decades experience already in the league, the quarterback and coach Robert Saleh have said Rodgers likely won't play in Saturday's preseason game. That means Thursday's joint practice is one of only three times he will have the chance to go against an opposing team's defense (the Jets also had an joint practice with the Commanders and have another next week with the Giants). With the live, full-speed reps available, Rodgers, a four-time MVP, will also be one of the best opposing passers the Panthers will get to see all year.

A two headed monster in the middle

The Jets shored up their pass rush this offseason, signing free agent Javon Kinlaw. The former South Carolina Gamecock and No. 14 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, had his best career season under Robert Saleh as a rookie (with the 49ers). Now reunited in New York -- Florham Park -- the two are hoping to recreate the magic. Kinlaw is joining a line that includes Quinnen Williams and added rookie Braiden McGregor on the edge.

Between Kinlaw's ability to disrupt up the middle and Williams propensity for getting in the backfield (he has 17.5 sacks in the last two seasons alone) the duo will test the Panthers newly molded offensive line. Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis were brought in to protect Bryce Young after he was sacked a franchise tying 62 times last season. However Lewis was still working his way back from a conditioning standpoint on Wednesday, after missing time with a personal matter, so it's unclear if he'll practice versus the Jets or not.

Regardless, the chance for the offensive line to test their mettle against the Jets defensive front, including Kinlaw and Williams, will give coaches a litmus test heading into the season.

A battle on the edges

The Jets, even while going 14-20 over the last two seasons, have produced two of the more exciting skill players in the league during that time. Receiver Garrett Wilson and corner Sauce Gardner each won their respective rookie of the year awards in 2022. Wilson followed it up with another 1,000-yard plus season (95 receptions for 1,042 yards and three touchdowns) while playing with a rotating door at quarterback following Rodgers' injury. Gardner capped his second year with his second set of First team All-Pro and second Pro Bowl accolades.

With those two on the field Thursday, fans will be in for a treat, as Wilson presumably squares off against the Panthers top corner, Jaycee Horn. The latter has had a dominant training camp so far, with highlight worthy pass breakups, tackles and smack talk each day. Look for these two to lock horns whenever possible.

On the other side of the field, Gardner is known for being a sticky corner with greedy hands. In most scenario's, he would have lined up opposite Diontae Johnson. However Johnson was held out of Wednesday's practice with a groin strain, and Dave Canales said he was day-to-day. It's unknown if he will practice against the Jets. In that case, look for the Panthers to trot out veteran Adam Thielen or second year receiver Jonathan Mingo to take on Gardner. Mingo has approached this training camp with a new attitude and new arsenal of skills after spending the offseason training with Steve Smith.