The Carolina Panthers logo is seen on helmets during an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
(Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
After a heartbreaking Wild Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams in January, the Carolina Panthers enter the 2026 season looking to build on the momentum they created throughout the 2025 campaign.
Despite finishing the regular season with an 8-9 record, Carolina captured its first NFC South title since 2015 and returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Now, the Panthers look to turn last season’s breakthrough into sustained success in 2026.
Offseason changes
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) talks to center Luke Fortner (77) during the NFL football team’s training camp Friday, July 24, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C.
(AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
The Panthers have continued building around quarterback Bryce Young, who enters his fourth season, alongside 2025 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan. To keep the offensive core intact, General Manager Dan Morgan re-signed wide receiver Jalen Coker to a three-year, $35 million contract extension through the 2029 season.
Although Carolina saw the departure of running back Rico Dowdle to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Panthers added veteran running back AJ Dillon to a backfield that also includes Chuba Hubbard and second-year running back Trevor Etienne. Jonathan Brooks, who was selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, also remains part of the team’s plans as he continues his recovery and development.
The Panthers also made several moves to strengthen the roster around Young. Carolina added receiver John Metchie III, linebacker Devin Lloyd, edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and offensive tackle Rasheed Walker through free agency, among other additions.
Young was solidified as the starter for the 2026 season after the Panthers sent quarterback Andy Dalton to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2027 seventh-round draft pick on March 24.
The offseason moves prove the team is working to take the next step in the right direction. Rather than relying solely on the roster that became NFC South champs in 2025, Carolina addressed the areas of need and added depth across the board.
The 2026 NFL Draft additions
Carolina Panthers first-round draft pick Monroe Freeling holds up his jersey during an NFL football news conference, Friday, April 24, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)
(AP Photo/Matt Kelley)
With seven selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Panthers utilized their picks to add depth and young talent on both sides of the ball.
Carolina held the No. 19 overall pick in the first round, selecting University of Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling. The Charleston, South Carolina, native provides additional depth along the offensive line as Ikem “Ickey” Ekwonu continues his recovery from a ruptured patellar tendon. As announced on July 21, right tackle Taylor Moton was diagnosed with blood clots in his lung and will miss the start of the upcoming season.
In the second round, Carolina added Texas Tech University defensive tackle Lee Hunter for another interior presence with Derrick Brown. University of Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II was another playmaker added to Young’s weaponry from the third round and cornerback Will Lee III, was selected for the opposite side of the field.
The Panthers finished up their draft with picks of center Sam Hecht, safety Zakee Wheatley and linebacker Jackson Kuwatch, solidifying a mix of young players who can contribute immediately or develop into long-term pieces.
Freeling, Hunter and Brazzell headline a class that could help strengthen the team’s areas of need while pushing a team looking to make its return to the playoffs.
Major free agency signings
Carolina Panthers linebacker Jaelan Phillips (5) runs a drill during the NFL football team’s training camp Friday, July 24, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
(AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
The additions of veterans Phillips, Lloyd, and Walker immediately pushed Carolina back into headlines. The Panthers’ activity flashed signs of improvement on both sides of the ball, especially benefiting the offensive line and defense.
Particularly, Phillips becomes another difference-maker for Carolina on the edge. The 27-year-old California native spent time with both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Miami Dolphins in 2025, recording 29 tackles, five sacks, and one forced fumble. At 6-foot-6, 266lbs, Phillips is added to a Carolina defense that could consistently keep pace with the NFC’s top offenses.
The Panthers also added quarterback Kenny Pickett, center Luke Fortner and offensive tackle Stone Forsythe. As Young enters another year, Carolina’s offensive approach has emphasized surrounding him with enough talent to continue his progression.
Training camp woes
Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (8) arrives during the NFL football team’s training camp Friday, July 24, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
(AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
Carolina headed into training camp full of optimism, but the early stages of preparation have already brought their challenges.
The Panthers reported earlier than most NFL teams due to their appearance in the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6 in Canton, Ohio. Veterans reported July 22, giving the team a chance to prepare ahead of the preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals at Tom Benson Stadium.
However, some injuries have already raised questions for the offensive line and the secondary. Moton and cornerback Jaycee Horn are expected to miss time with offseason medical issues, though Horn’s was reported as stitches in his foot that may be temporary.
Second-year linebacker Nic Scourton, who recorded five sacks in 2025, was also injured during the first day of training camp. He will miss the entirety of the 2026 season with a torn ACL.
The NFLPA is investigating Scourton’s injury given it happened during the mandatory five-day acclimation period. The investigation will include a review of the injury video, detailing whether Scourton did anything that the CBA prohibits in the opening days of camp.
As veterans work their way back to the field, other corners and younger stars like Lee and cornerback Corey Thornton will have the opportunity to make their mark and establish their presence. With an extra week of preseason preparation, the Panthers will need to take advantage and build team chemistry. Additionally, they will prioritize finalizing the depth chart and preparing for the regular season.
Regular season schedule challenges
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young calls a play during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones, File)
(AP Photo/Rusty Jones, File)
The Panthers’ path back to the playoffs will come with its challenges, as they are set to face several difficult matchups outside of the division. Those matchups include the Cincinnati Bengals, reigning Super Bowl LX champions the Seattle Seahawks and the Chicago Bears, who the Panthers open with in Week 1.
Within the NFC South, the Panthers will have some competition, but the absence of Mike Evans from Tampa Bay and the quarterback duel between Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa in Atlanta could give Carolina its advantage to step up and take over. The Panthers will have to play their cards wisely to defend their division title and return to the postseason for a second consecutive season.
The 2026 schedule also has a late-season stretch for Carolina that could ultimately determine how their luck lies. Competition against Pittsburgh, the Seahawks, the Atlanta Falcons and the Cincinnati Bengals will be tough, but the Panthers’ strategy and mentality could keep them fighting for a playoff position.
Headed to the Hall
Before the regular season begins, the Panthers will have a historic weekend in Canton.
Carolina will face off with the Cardinals in the 2026 Hall of Fame game on Aug. 6 to kick off the NFL’s preseason schedule. The game will also serve as the beginning of a celebration weekend for Panthers legend Luke Kuechly, who is set to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 8.
For a franchise turning a new leaf, the timing feels fitting. Although legendary wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. still waits for his name to be called, Kuechly also represents one of the greatest eras in Panthers history while Carolina attempts to create a new one.
The 2026 season will be full of questions and anticipation considering whether last season was the foundation toward something bigger or just a one-year breakthrough.
Young’s development with a revamped roster creates higher expectations than in previous years. The Panthers have already proven that they should not be counted out. Now, the challenge is proving they can stay there.