Honestly, if you told a Panthers fan two years ago that they’d be sitting here in January 2026 coming off a division title, they would have probably asked what you were drinking. But here we are. The Carolina Panthers aren’t just a "scrappy" team anymore. They’re the kings of the NFC South—even if that crown came with an 8-9 record and a wild season that felt like a fever dream.
Most of the national media still looks at this roster and sees a fluke. They see a losing record and a "weak" division. But they’re missing the actual story. What’s happening in Charlotte right now isn't about luck; it’s about a specific type of cultural surgery performed by Dave Canales and Dan Morgan. They’ve basically stopped trying to win the "offseason championship" and started building a team that actually likes playing together.
The Bryce Young Turning Point
The biggest misconception about the Carolina Panthers over the last year was that Bryce Young was a "bust." You heard it on every talk show. Then 2025 happened. Young didn’t just survive; he thrived in moments where he used to crumble.
He finished the 2025 season with 3,011 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and—this is the kicker—six game-winning drives. That was tied for second-most in the entire NFL. He isn't throwing for 400 yards a game like Mahomes, but he’s becoming a cold-blooded finisher. It’s why Dan Morgan didn't hesitate to pick up his fifth-year option this week, locking him in through 2027.
The growth is real. Is it perfect? No. He still had that nightmare game against the Seahawks where he barely cleared 50 yards. But the "bust" label is officially in the trash.
The Tetairoa McMillan Factor
A huge reason for Young’s jump was the arrival of Tetairoa McMillan. When the Panthers took him 8th overall, people were confused because they needed edge rushers. Instead, they got a Rookie of the Year finalist. McMillan is basically a vacuum. If the ball is in his zip code, he catches it. Pairing him with Jalen Coker, who came out of nowhere to become a legitimate WR2, has given this offense an actual identity.
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Why the Defense Isn't a "Paper Tiger" Anymore
Last year, the defense was a disaster. Like, "worst in league history" levels of bad regarding points allowed. This year, Ejiro Evero worked some kind of magic to bring them up to 15th in scoring defense.
A lot of that comes down to two guys: Derrick Brown and Jaycee Horn.
- Derrick Brown: He is the engine. When he’s healthy, the run game for the opponent basically disappears.
- Jaycee Horn: People forget he’s an elite corner because he’s always hurt. In 2025, he played 15 games. When he’s on the field, the Panthers can actually play the aggressive, man-heavy scheme Evero wants.
But don't get it twisted—there are massive holes. The pass rush is still anemic. They finished near the bottom of the league in sacks again. If they don't find a way to get pressure on the quarterback without blitzing everyone and their mother, the 2026 season could be a regression.
The Reality of the 2026 Offseason
As we look toward the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency, the Panthers are in a weird spot. They have the 19th pick. They also have about two dozen free agents, including Rico Dowdle, who was their leading rusher this past season.
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There’s a lot of talk about Auburn’s Keldric Faulk. The team needs a "partner in crime" for the defensive line, and a 6-foot-6, 280-pound edge rusher is exactly what the doctor ordered. But they also have to fix the offensive line—again. Ikem Ekwonu’s ruptured patellar tendon in the playoff loss to the Rams is a massive blow. Recovering from that as a big man is brutal, and it puts the left tackle spot in total flux for the start of 2026.
The Running Back Carousel
Chuba Hubbard is the heart of the locker room, but everyone is waiting for Jonathon Brooks to finally show what he can do after missing all of 2025. Then you have Rico Dowdle hitting free agency. The Panthers have to decide if they’re going to pay a veteran or just hand the keys to the young guys and pray the knees hold up.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're following the Carolina Panthers this year, stop looking at the win-loss column and start looking at these three specific metrics. This is what will actually determine if they’re a "one-hit wonder" or a rising power.
- Pressure Rate Without Blitzing: If the Panthers have to keep sending six guys to get a sack, good quarterbacks will continue to carve them up like the Rams did in the Wild Card game. Look for them to go heavy on Edge in the first two rounds of the draft.
- Bryce Young’s Completion Percentage Under Pressure: In 2025, he got better at "off-platform" throws. In 2026, with Ekwonu potentially out for a while, Young’s ability to navigate a collapsing pocket will be the difference between a 10-win season and a 5-win season.
- The "Blue Collar" Identity: Dan Morgan keeps talking about "dawgs." He wants players with an edge. Keep an eye on the guys they sign to "future" contracts in January—players like safety Demani Richardson and linebacker Jared Bartlett. These aren't big names, but they are the types of special teams grinders that define the Canales era.
The Panthers are no longer the league's punching bag. They’ve proven they can win close games and they’ve proven they can win the division. The next step isn't just getting to the playoffs; it's staying there.
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To stay competitive, the front office must prioritize the defensive front seven in the March free agency window. Identifying a veteran linebacker to replace the production lost in Josey Jewell’s absence is the most immediate path to stabilizing the middle of the field. Additionally, expect a heavy focus on tackle depth during the second wave of free agency to mitigate the loss of Ekwonu. The foundation is set, but the 2026 roster will require more "thump" on defense to truly transition from division winners to Super Bowl contenders.