The Carolina Panthers are riding high after capturing their first NFC South title in a decade, and one beat reporter believes the best is yet to come. Despite facing a significantly tougher schedule in 2026, the reigning division champs are poised to take another positive step forward.
After the NFL released the full slate of games for all 32 teams, it's clear the Panthers won't have an easy path to repeating. Their 2026 opponents are far more formidable than last year's lineup, putting their championship mettle to the test. But this isn't the same Carolina squad that stumbled through the 2023 season. The roster has been steadily upgraded, and they proved in 2025 they can go toe-to-toe with the league's elite.
Prediction season is in full swing, and the consensus is bullish on Carolina. Most forecasts, including those from PanthersWire and The Athletic's Joe Person, have the Panthers finishing 9-8 and winning the NFC South again. Person, who correctly predicted an 8-9 finish last year, is doubling down: "Before we talk about the ’26 season, let’s first point out that I correctly picked the Panthers to go 8-9 after last year’s schedule release... Canales and general manager Dan Morgan have the Panthers headed in the right direction, and they’ll take another step this season, winning the division for the second year in a row — this time with a winning record."
What's fueling this optimism? On paper, Carolina's defense has made a massive leap, climbing from dead last to the middle of the pack. If off-ball linebacker Trevin Wallace and safety Nick Scott can tighten up and stop giving up big gains, this unit could become a nightmare for opposing offenses. On the other side of the ball, the Panthers added another weapon for quarterback Bryce Young, drafting wide receiver Chris Brazzell II—a player whose skillset meshes perfectly with Young's strengths. The front office also prioritized offensive line depth, a glaring weakness exposed by injuries in 2025.
Two key factors will determine how far this team goes: a more productive pass rush and greater consistency from Young. Off the field, head coach Dave Canales needs to sharpen his game management and continue evolving his offensive scheme. If those pieces fall into place, don't be surprised to see the Panthers hoisting another division banner in 2026.