CHARLOTTE—No year in the NFL is the same. Rosters change, contracts end, and coaches are replaced. But when the 11-man 2021 Panthers class arrived in Charlotte almost four years ago led by cornerback Jaycee Horn, they had high hopes for their collective future.

"Like Brady Christensen said, we thought this was going to be best friends forever, man," laughed tight end Tommy Tremble, a third-round pick in that 2021 draft.

But the realities of the NFL come calling no matter how hard a class works together to stave them off and now that class is on the precipice of the next phase of their career.

"It's hard to keep staying in this business," continued Tremble. "It's a tough business, but the guys who are still here, man, I know everyone's got success for them waiting in the future."

It was a sobering message delivered last week as the 2024 iteration of the Carolina Panthers packed up their lockers and prepared for their next offseason. For the 2021 draft class, it's an offseason of uncertainty as their rookie contracts wrap up and they look toward that future Tremble mentioned.

The original class consisted of 11 players across all seven rounds. Of those 11, only four were still on the roster at the end of this past season: Tremble, Christensen, both third-rounders, running back Chuba Hubbard (fourth round), and Horn (first round).

The latter two's futures are more assured—in theory—for the time being. Hubbard received a four-year extension in early November en route to his first 1,000-yard season in his NFL career.

The Panthers picked up Horn's fifth-year option in April of 2024, meaning he is also technically under contract for the coming 2025 season. However, both parties (the Panthers and Horn's team) ideally want to reach an extension this offseason, locking in their lockdown corner for the future.

Horn is letting those talks go on without him, trusting his agent and those in the Panthers front office to create a mutually advantageous situation.

"I'm just leaving that all up to my agent; I feel like he's the best in the world at what he does, so leave it to him," Horn said. "That's the smart guy stuff. I stay out of the way. I just try to play football and handle my side of it; let him do the rest."

Horn handled his side well this season, appearing in 15 games, his most in one season since entering the NFL. Not coincidentally, he was voted to his first Pro Bowl.

In those 15 games, Horn had 68 tackles, 13 passes defended, and one interception. According to Next Gen Stats, he finished in the top 15 of tight-window throws and allowed the seventh-lowest completion percentage (50.7 percent) when targeted. It all led to Horn being named to his first Pro Bowl.

"I think I said that to you guys the last time I talked to you guys that Jaycee is obviously the focal point of the defense," general manager Dan Morgan said last week. "Somebody that we're going to want here long-term, and we're going to work on getting him a long-term deal."

The latter two of the final four remaining from the class must face a more uncertain offseason now. This year, Christensen was the Panthers swing lineman, showcasing an ability to play—and even start—at every position. He stepped in at center after Austin Corbett went down, filled in at tackle, at guard, and was the sixth man in jumbo situations as the eligible receiver.

"I can hold my head high," Christensen said last week of his season. "I did a lot of different stuff, bouncing around positions, learning center, playing center, and then bouncing out to left tackle in the same game. I felt like I proved a lot and learned a lot about myself, and I can hold my head high and felt like I had a very good year."

His versatility is a luxury. It also means the Panthers have an incumbent group of starters already under contract at four of the five positions, and must work with the market when it comes to Christensen. For his part, the former third-rounder wants to return but understands nothing is guaranteed in this league.

"Yeah, I love it here. You know it's home," said the lineman. "This is, the Carolinas have treated me well. I love it here. It's a great place to live. I love this organization, you know, the way it's going, Dan and Dave (Canales) and everyone else, the coaches, the players, it's just a great place to be.

"But at the same time, I'm going to do what's best for myself and my family. That's the number one priority, and I'm excited to see what opportunities are presented in the next couple of months."

Even with various injuries keeping him on the sideline for five games, Tremble finished his fourth season with the best numbers of his career. He pulled in 23 receptions on 32 targets for 234 yards and two touchdowns while also converting 12 first downs.

"I got here when I was young, trying to figure it out, but they've been patient with me, and they let me try to be the best I can be, week in and week out," Tremble said.

As the season progressed and quarterback Bryce Young became more comfortable in the offense, Tremble's experience and knowledge of opposing defenses helped the young passer out, turning him into a reliable target. He was also on the receiving end of arguably the highlight of the Panthers season.

"It was awesome. I mean, going to sleep yesterday was probably one of the best feelings, especially at the end of the year, that I've ever had as a Panther," Tremble bragged last week.

Now the tight end heads into the offseason, not knowing what next year will hold but hoping to continue building on what he did this year.

"I'd love to be here, man. I love my guys here. I love the staff here. I love playing for these guys, and I love playing for Carolina," the Notre Dame product admitted. "That was one of my favorite things, you know; they drafted me here when I was a young kid when I was 20 years old. I got here, and every year, kept believing in me and kept letting me build myself back up, and I think that's the most fun: I'm really finding myself out here, and it was a lot of fun, and I'd love to be back."

Tremble said he and Morgan have had "a little chit chat" about his future, "a good chit chat," and now they wait to see what unfolds.

That's the case for the 2021 draft class as a whole, other than Hubbard, or at least those three remaining. Regardless of what the offseason brings, Tremble feels he and his fellow draftees can walk out of the building proud of what they've helped build. And if Hubbard is any indication, there is still much to do.

"I'm excited for everyone here. Love those guys to death, and you know Chuba already got the ball started, and he got it started early, so I'm excited for him, "said Tremble. "I'm excited for all my guys, man. It's going to be a fun offseason."