Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert has competition this year in training camp, and he knows it.

Just after the 2016 NFL Draft concluded, the Carolina Panthers signed rookie fullback Devon “Rockhead” Johnson as an undrafted free agent out of Marshall. The Panthers thought highly enough of Johnson to pay him a 20,000 signing bonus. Rookie bonuses like these are not common in the NFL.

This development appears to have gotten the attention of Mike Tolbert, and rightfully so.

“I go out every day like someone is trying to take my job” Tolbert told the media during today’s move in day. (see video below)

“It just so happens that somebody is trying to take my job.” he added as he chuckled.

Devon Johnson is that somebody. At 6’0 and 240 pounds, Johnson is a bruising runner that has shown soft hands out of the backfield. Sounds quite a bit like Mike Tolbert, doesn’t it?

While Devon Johnson is a rookie, Tolbert is entering his 9th season in the NFL. Tolbert knows football can be a young man’s game and doesn’t appear to be taking anything for granted. He knows he is not promised a 2016 Carolina Panthers roster spot. As a result, his attitude towards practice will remain how is has always been.

“I’m going out with the expectation a that I gotta work.” Tolbert said. “I have always been a guy that prides myself on how I play the game.”

At this point it would take an amazing performance by Devon Johnson to replace Tolbert. And even then, I am not sure the Panthers would be willing to lose such an important cog of the offense both on the field and in the locker room. In any event, Tolbert is not taking any chances.