By admin 
The Carolina Panthers have big expectations for the 2026 season. After winning the NFC South in 2025, the team’s timeline has been pushed up, and anything short of another division win would be disappointing.
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However, it’s incredibly hard to win in the NFL, and many things will have to go right for the Panthers to repeat as NFC South champions. The team did add some nice talent over the offseason, like Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd, and there’s also hope for some internal development from others.
Today, let’s take a look at the three position groups that could make or break the 2026 season.
1. Quarterback
Bryce Young took some positive steps in 2025. The quarterback threw for over 3,000 yards with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. That performance was just good enough to get the Panthers to the postseason, but it’s clear Young needs to take another step if the Panthers want to contend.
Plus, Young is set to be a free agent after the 2027 season. The team needs to know if Young can be the franchise guy or not, and up to this point, he hasn’t made it obvious enough. With a good defense and offensive line, a step from Young really could be the difference between a playoff season and a disappointing one.
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2. Tight end
The Panthers’ tight end room doesn’t inspire much confidence. Tommy Tremble, Ja’Tavion Sanders, and Mitchell Evans are the top three options for the second year in a row, and it’s a bit surprising that the team didn’t bring in any other options.
As a result, the Panthers are simply hoping that Tremble or Sanders can step up and become a reliable starter. Sanders has only played in 29 NFL games, so it’s possible he could hit a new level still. It’s just surprising that the Panthers are content to rely on a few unproven options at an important position.
3. Edge rushers
Well, the Panthers’ edge rusher group took a huge blow on the first day of training camp. Nic Scourton, who tied for the team lead in sacks in 2025, suffered a season-ending torn ACL. Even with Scourton, it was questionable whether or not this room could be good enough.
Now, without Scourton, it’s time to worry. Jaelan Phillips was paid to be the main guy, so there’s hope he can lock down one side. What happens on the other side, though, is what will be the difference. Can Pat Jones II or Princely Umanmielen do enough? Or will the team try to pull off a trade for a bigger name?
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This story was originally published July 26, 2026 at 9:40 AM.