Carolina Panthers 2026 NFL Season Preview

[Editor's note: The following article is from Athlon Sports' 2026 NFL Preview magazine. Order your issue online today, or grab a copy at newsstands and retail racks nationwide.]

For a team that had a losing record last season, the Carolina Panthers have a lot of optimism in 2026 around what they are building in Charlotte - and deservedly so.

Despite going a modest 8-9 in 2025, the Panthers eked into the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season by winning the NFC South. They then acquitted themselves well in a last-second, 34-31 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round. Now the Panthers appear to have gotten better, owing to a strong free-agency class, a solid 2026 draft and the emergence of Bryce Young as a viable NFL QB and Tetairoa McMillan as an excellent No. 1 wide receiver.

The season won't be without its challenges. Starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu ruptured the patellar tendon in his right knee in that January playoff game, and the recovery timeline for that injury means he will likely miss Week 1 of the season and perhaps a good bit more than that. The Panthers must figure out his replacement in training camp.

Carolina also has lost 1,000-yard rusher Rico Dowdle, who was one of the surprise stories of 2025 and was rewarded with a big free-agent contract with Pittsburgh. But most of the Panthers' key players return on both sides of the ball, as do head coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan. This is a season when Carolina can realistically hope not only to make the playoffs again, but also to do more damage once they get there.

Offense

Young enters his fourth season with a new dose of confidence after leading Carolina to the playoffs for the first time in his career and playing well in his brief postseason. Young has picked up the nickname "Carolina Reaper," owing to his frequent display of the ability to play his best in the game's fourth quarter. The QB has grown more adept at using his mobility to get out of trouble.

Young set numerous career highs but still averaged under 200 yards per game throwing the ball in 2025, and the Panthers would like to see that number rise. He has a new backup in former Pittsburgh Steeler Kenny Pickett, with the Panthers trading away veteran Andy Dalton in an effort to get younger and more mobile at the QB2 spot.

Young's primary target is McMillan, the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2025 with 1,014 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Young normally looks first to McMillan on big third downs, but by the end of 2025 he was looking almost as often at Jalen Coker.

Coker is far from a burner, but he has shown a tenacious ability to make the tough catch, and he led the Panthers in receiving in their playoff game with 134 yards and a touchdown.

Coker has surpassed Xavier Legette as the Panthers' No. 2 option. Legette, the team's first-round draft choice in 2024, has mostly been a disappointment. His production and on-field awareness have both left something to be desired. But the Panthers remain hopeful he can be a contributor.

None of those top three receivers is someone who can regularly take the top off defenses, which is why Carolina drafted Chris Brazzell II in the third round. He's 6-foot-4 and runs a 4.37 40, which will at the least give other receivers more room underneath.

The running back position will be manned by Chuba Hubbard, who is reliable but not really a breakaway threat and will no longer have Dowdle by his side. Expect Trevor Etienne to become the No. 2 back. Jonathon Brooks is an X-factor - the 2024 second-round pick been hurt almost his entire NFL career, but he could provide some chunk plays if he ever stays healthy.

The offensive line's biggest question is the aforementioned Ekwonu's health, as the team waits to see how quickly he rehabs from that serious knee injury. In the meantime, left tackle will be manned by rookie first-round draft pick Monroe Freeling or veteran Rasheed Walker. Expect Walker to get the nod early, although the Panthers believe Freeling can be a multi-year starter. Guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis and right tackle Taylor Moton are all solid starters and road graders. The center likely will be free-agent signee Luke Fortner.

Tight end will again be mediocre and again feature a committee, as the Panthers hope that Tommy Tremble and Ja'Tavion Sanders together can cobble together a decent season. Carolina hasn't solved the production problem at this position since Greg Olsen left the field.

Defense

Carolina's biggest problem in 2025 was getting to the quarterback with any consistency. The Panthers' 30 total sacks as a defense tied for third-worst in the NFL. The Panthers have tried to solve that with one of the NFL's biggest free-agent acquisitions, as edge rusher Jaelan Phillips joins the team on a four-year, $120 million contract. Carolina also hopes that Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen improve in getting to the QB in their second season. Scourton, in particular, has shown a lot of flashes early in his career and might have a breakout year.

Carolina's best defensive lineman remains Derrick Brown, who helps anchor the 3-4 alignment and can throw blockers around. Nose tackle Bobby Brown III will be spelled by rookie Lee Hunter, whose bulk will prove helpful.

Inside linebacker Devin Lloyd might be a game-changing free-agent acquisition at a position where the Panthers have struggled. Lloyd had five interceptions for Jacksonville last season. He will join Trevin Wallace on the inside.

Carolina's strength on D is the defensive backfield. Cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson were among the best tandems in the NFL last season and combined for nine of the Panthers' 15 interceptions. Strong safety Tre'von Moehrig is solid against the run. Free safety Nick Scott sometimes is susceptible to the deep ball but is valuable because of his craftiness. Lathan Ransom could challenge Scott for a starting job and at the least will play in the "big nickel" package.

Specialists

Carolina is stable here. Placekicker Ryan Fitzgerald has developed a reputation for coming through in the clutch. Sam Martin is a veteran and reliable punter. Etienne will handle most of the return duties, as the Panthers try to get him more touches. Long-snapper JJ Jansen, the longest-tenured player in Panthers history, returns for his 18th season.

Final Analysis

The Panthers benefit from playing in one of the NFL's weaker divisions, and they will have a real chance to win the NFC South once more. On defense, Carolina needs to prove it can disrupt opposing QBs more often. On offense, the left tackle question needs an answer, and Young needs to take a step forward in the first three quarters of games - he's already good in the fourth. Coker has the potential to become a 1,000-yard receiver, and that would help take some of the pressure off McMillan. This is a potential playoff team once again and one that has more depth than it did a year ago.

Related: Athlon Sports 2026 NFL Preview Magazine Now Available

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This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 11:00 AM.