Leading up to the kickoff of the 2026 NFL season, TeamFB7 will dive into every team with analysis, critiques, breakout player picks and overall predictions. We’re working backward from our early preseason power rankings with a couple of updates/tweaks based on subsequent developments. The Carolina Panthers now sit at No. 25.
Did the Carolina Panthers and quarterback Bryce Young really take a step forward last year? It’s honestly hard to say.
What most NFL fans remember is the Panthers making the playoffs for the first time in eight years and putting a genuine scare into the heavily favored Los Angeles Rams in the wildcard round, taking a four-point lead with less than 3 minutes to play before ultimately losing 34-31.
What Panthers fans might also remember, though, is that Carolina was the most inconsistent, unpredictable team in the entire NFL from one week to the next and backed into the playoffs despite losing three of its final four games to finish with a losing record (8-9) for the eighth straight season.
(The Panthers fortuitously came out ahead in a three-way tiebreaker atop the underwhelming NFC South despite blowing their chance to clinch the playoff berth on their own, losing to the free-falling Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18 and instead needing the Atlanta Falcons to beat the New Orleans Saints in an otherwise meaningless game the next day.)
For those that weren’t ebbing and flowing along with the Jekyll & Hyde Panthers, let’s review the bumpy ride and why it’s impossible to say whether the franchise does or doesn’t have momentum heading into coach Dave Canales’ third season.
– Started 1-3, following up a 30-0 shutout win over the Falcons with a 42-13 loss at the Patriots.
– Then won three straight games over the Dolphins, Cowboys and at the Jets to get to 4-3.
– Starting with that victory over the Jets, the Panthers alternated wins and losses for 10 straight games.
– Within that defining stretch of inconsistency, they stunned the Packers 16-13 at Lambeau Field, only to lose 17-7 at home the next week to the struggling Saints. A few weeks later, they upset the Rams 31-28 at home only to come out of the ensuing bye week and lose 20-17 to the Saints, again, in New Orleans.
– Young, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2023, threw for less than 200 yards in eight of the first nine games … and then out of nowhere set the franchise single-game record with 448 passing yards and 3 TDs in an overtime win in Atlanta … sandwiched between games of 124 and 169 yards.
Overall, Young had only four games with at least 210 passing yards (plus 264 yards in the playoff game) but posted career-bests with a 63.6% completion rate, 3,011 passing yards and 23 touchdowns with 11 interceptions.
While showing improvement across the board statistically, Young nonetheless ranked last in passing yards of any quarterback who played more than 14 games (he played 16). His 6.3 yards per pass attempt ranked tied for 30th while his average depth of target (7.0 yards) ranked 37th among 43 qualifying QBs, per PFF. He was tied for 26th in passer rating (87.8).
So did Young truly take a step forward in his third season after a rocky start to his NFL career? Did the Panthers collectively?
Again, it’s simply impossible say one way or the other with any confidence.
2026 sets up as a pivotal and potentially defining season for Young and Canales.
(All free agent contract values referenced from Spotrac.com)
Carolina Panthers Reset
2025 Finish: 8-9, lost 34-31 to Los Angeles Rams in wild card round
Head Coach: Dave Canales, third season (13-21)
Hot Seat Meter (0-10): 5
Offensive Coordinator: Brad Idzik, third season
Defensive Coordinator: Elijah Evero, third season
Best Offseason Move: Signing LB Devin Lloyd
The Panthers had both one of the biggest over-pays/gambles of free agency (four years and $120 million with $80 million guaranteed for edge rusher Jaelan Phillips) and one of the better value signings in Devin Lloyd.
Lloyd had a breakout fourth NFL season for the Jacksonville Jaguars, in which the former first-round pick earned his first Pro Bowl invite and second-team All-Pro honors while posting 81 tackles, 5 interceptions (tied for second in the NFL overall, tied for first among LBs) and 7 passes defended. for what it’s worth, PFF gave him an 88.6 season grade, which ranked third among 88 qualifying linebackers.
Yet, the Panthers were able to sign Lloyd for a reasonable three-year, $42-million deal, which only ranks ninth among inside linebackers in average annual salary.
Lloyd provides valuable veteran stability in the middle of the defense, slotting next to third-year linebacker Trevin Wallace, who has made 20 starts through his first two seasons.
As for the Phillips signing, the Panthers were far from the only suitor willing to back up the Brinks truck for the talented pass rusher who was the No. 18 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins and finished last season with the Philadelphia Eagles after a trade. But the reality he is getting paid for what they hope he might do rather than what he’s already proven.
Phillips has struggled to stay on the field, playing 63 games in five seasons, and has a modest 28 career sacks in that time. His career-high 7 sacks came way back in 2022. That said, PFF credited him with 73 pressures overall last season (ninth-most among edge rushers), the Eagles wanted to retain him and there was plenty of other believers around the league in his untapped potential at just 27 years old.
Phillips absolutely makes the Panthers defense better.
It’s just a lot of guaranteed money while the overall contract ranks ninth in average annual salary among edge rushers — more than proven stars like Brian Burns, Trey Hendrickson (who was also a free agent this year and had the most sacks in the NFL over the 2023-24 seasons), Josh Sweat, etc. Odafe Oweh, another of the most coveted EDGE free agents, signed with the Washington Commanders for four years/$96 million ($4 million/season less) after posting 10.5 sacks in 13 games (including playoffs) for the Chargers last season.
Worst Offseason Move: Letting RB Rico Dowdle leave
Rico Dowdle might be the most productive NFL running back whose teams don’t seem to prioritize his value all that much.
For the second straight season, Dowdle rushed for over 1,000 yards (1,076 yards and 6 TDs on a solid 4.6 yards per carry, right in line with his career average) for the second straight season only to not get re-signed.
He posted similar numbers in 2024 for the Dallas Cowboys, who then chose to pursue other options in free agency while Dowdle signed a one-year deal worth up to $6.25 million with the Panthers and delivered a solid return — only for Carolina to also let him walk. Dowdle end up inking a two-year, $12.25-million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers while remaining one of the better RB value adds in the league.
It’s not that Dowdle is a top-10 NFL running back, but he’s proven to be an asset at a reasonable cost. The Panthers not only let him go but didn’t really replace him.
Chuba Hubbard, who has a lesser 4.1 career YPC in five seasons with the Panthers, will presumably take over again as the lead back. He filled that role in 2024, rushing for a career-high 1,195 yards and 10 TDs on 4.8 YPC, before taking a backseat to Dowdle last season and finishing with 511 rushing yards and 1 TD on 3.8 YPC.
But 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks, who has just 9 career rushing attempts after recovering from two ACL tears in his right knee the last two years, is back healthy and pushing Hubbard for carries.
Brooks is an unknown at this point and maybe the Panthers’ confidence in his potential is why Dowdle is now in Pittsburgh, but until that’s proven, it seems a bit risky for a team that relies so heavily on its rushing attack to rely on a (mostly) career backup and an unproven player coming back from two ACL tears.
Carolina Panthers Roster Breakdown
Biggest Strength: Defensive secondary
The Panthers return their starting secondary intact after ranking a respectable 15th against the pass (203.9 YPG) last season.
Cornerbacks Jaycee Horn (the 8th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft) had a career-high 5 interceptions last season, veteran Mike Jackson had a career-high 4 picks and tied for the NFL lead with 19 passes defended, while third-year corner Chau Smith-Wade is back at nickel.
At safety, Nick Scott (111 tackles, 1 INT) and Tre’von Moehrig (103 tackles, team-high 14 tackles for loss, 1 INT) ranked second and third on the team in tackles in 2025, while rookie fifth-round pick Zakee Wheatley (out of Penn State) has had strong preseason and adds to the depth of talent at the position.
Biggest Weakness: Offensive line, tight end and wide receiver depth
One reason to hesitate on buying stock in Young and this offense is … well, heck, we can give you three.
The offensive line is a compromised to start the season. It remains uncertain if left tackle Ikem Ekwonu will be ready for Week 1 as he continues to work back from a ruptured patellar tendon in his knee sustained in the playoff game while a limited participant this preseason. Similarly, right tackle Taylor Moton is going to miss the start of the season (with no clear timeline for return) while being treated and recovering from a blood clot in his lung.
As it stands, former Green Bay Packers starter Rasheed Walker will step in at left tackle while rookie first-round pick Monroe Freeling tries to man the right side. Freeling, the 19th overall pick in the draft, out of Georgia, has had some growing pains (but also some very good reps) this preseason, which was to be expected for a player who started only 1.5 seasons in college.
Meanwhile, with former starting center Cade Mays leaving in free agency (and now out for at least a couple months for the Detroit Lions due to injury), the Panthers signed former Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints starter Luke Fortner.
That means Young and the offense are working in three new starters up front overall, at least to start the season, while PFF ranks the Panthers’ O-line 26th in the league.
As for the other concerns on that side of the ball, Tetairoa McMillan was impressive in winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year last season with 70 catches for 1,014 yards and 7 TDs, but there isn’t much depth within the Panthers’ collection of passing targets.
Jalen Coker (33-394-3 in 11 games in 2025), Xavier Legette (35-363-3) and tight end Tommy Tremble (27-249-2) return as the other top targets, which is an underwhelming group to say the least.
Losing third-round pick Chris Brazzell II to season-ending knee surgery was a tough setback.
Most Intriguing Rookie: RT Monroe Freeling
Freeling may be more raw than some of the other offensive linemen drafted in the first round, but scouts and draft analysts love his long-term upside after he dazzled in workouts and testing at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Freeling along with the rest of the offensive line struggled to match up with the Houston Texans’ fearsome front in recent joint practices, raising concerns about his readiness, but he had some better moments in the actual preseason games.
Breakout Player: RB Jonathon Brooks
While we didn’t like the offseason plan at running back overall, it was clearly driven by internal optimism that Brooks is ready to contribute after two lost seasons due to those ACL tears. He was, after all, the 46th overall pick in the draft two years ago and averaged 6.2 YPC for his college career at Texas, including 1,139 rushing yards and 10 TDs in 2023.
Hubbard has shown to have a limited NFL ceiling and has never handled more than 250 carries in a season. The Panthers ran the ball 461 times last year, so Brooks is going to get plenty of opportunity to breakout if he can stay healthy.
MVP Pick: WR Tetairoa McMillan
If the Panthers are going to compete for a playoff spot again in 2026, it’s going to take another big season from McMillan as the only true difference-making target in the passing attack.
And it’s only natural to expect he could be even better in his second NFL season.
Carolina Panthers 2026 Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| Week 1, Sept. 13 | vs. Chicago Bears | 1 p.m. |
| Week 2, Sept. 20 | at Atlanta Falcons | 1 p.m. |
| Week 3, Sept. 27 | at Cleveland Browns | 1 p.m. |
| Week 4, Oct. 4 | vs. Detroit Lions | 8:20 p.m. |
| Week 5 | BYE WEEK | |
| Week 6, Oct. 18 | at Philadelphia Eagles | 1 p.m. |
| Week 7, Oct. 25 | vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1 p.m. |
| Week 8, Oct. 29 (Thursday) | at Green Bay Packers | 8:15 p.m. |
| Week 9, Nov. 8 | vs. Denver Broncos | 1 p.m. |
| Week 10, Nov. 15 | at New Orleans Saints | 1 p.m. |
| Week 11, Nov. 22 | vs. Baltimore Ravens | 1 p.m. |
| Week 12, Nov. 30 (Monday) | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 8:15 p.m. |
| Week 13, Dec. 6 | at Minnesota Vikings | 4:25 p.m. |
| Week 14, Dec. 13 | vs. New Orleans Saints | 1 p.m. |
| Week 15, Dec. 20 | vs. Cincinnati Bengals | 1 p.m. |
| Week 16, TBD (Flex Game) | at Pittsburgh Steelers | TBD |
| Week 17, Jan. 3 | vs. Seattle Seahawks | 1 p.m. |
| Week 18, TBD (Flex Game) | vs. Atlanta Falcons | TBD |
Carolina Panthers Season Prediction And Parting Thoughts
Season Prediction: 6-11
Yes, we’re expecting a regression overall from Carolina, which could put Canales’ future in question.
There’s a lot to like about the Panthers’ defense and its chances of being improved in 2026, but it’s hard to find any such reason to believe the offense will be any better unless Young just takes a massive leap in his fourth season.
The NFC South race should again be a slog, but it seems more likely the Panthers finish last than first again.
