The Carolina Panthers are just about set to kick off their 31st NFL campaign. But will it be the first in a span of almost eight long years that results in a postseason berth?

Much has happened during the offseason to potentially help break that franchise-record skid. The front office was aggressive in retooling their defense through free agency, then turned their attention to hauling in a rather promising draft class.

Some of what has happened on the practice field since their last official snap has also been encouraging. During the summer, a handful of those draft selections shined, a few undrafted rookies made their respective statements and maybe, just maybe, the comeback story of former Pro Bowl wideout Hunter Renfrow will get even better.

Plus, the Panthers—in this brick-by-brick rebuild—have another year of work under their belts. Head coach Dave Canales is no longer a new kid on the block, quarterback Bryce Young will look to continue on his late-season emergence from 2024 and running back Chuba Hubbard, defensive lineman Derrick Brown and cornerback Jaycee Horn are primed to take their next steps forward as established contributors.

All in all, the franchise is moving in the right direction.

The main goals from that previous season were to get improvement out of Young and to establish a new culture under Canales and general manager Dan Morgan. Check.

This year, the goal should be to have a team capable of competing for a playoff spot.

But a few factors must fall into place.

Young, the major key to all of this, must be a notch above the quarterback he was during the final 10 games of his sophomore campaign. That impressive stretch saw the former No. 1 overall pick total 2,327 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions while leading the Panthers to four wins.

The 24-year-old has shown he is able to carry a team on his back and lead them to victory, and there is plenty of room for him to grow. But his progression as a passer, even this summer, has been noteworthy. If Young shows he can be a franchise quarterback this season, the playoffs are not out of the question.

The run defense, which allowed a league-high 179.8 yards per game, must also show up—especially after the additions of defensive linemen Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III and safety Tre’von Moehrig. The return of Pro Bowler Derrick Brown, who missed 16 of 17 games in 2024, should loom large as well.

Talent-wise, Carolina is still at least year away—and that is perfectly fine for where they are. Their ability to compete against and challenge far superior opponents—as they did in their three-game stretch last season against the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles—is more important at this point of their development.

So for now, there does not have to be a hard goal of getting to the playoffs and snapping their drought. While that would, of course, be a clear sign of growth—just being good and capable enough to threaten for a postseason spot should be the primary objective.

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