Feb. 10, 2026, 1:30 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
Although the 2025 NFL campaign officially ended on Sunday night, with the Seattle Seahawks<\/a>‘ dominant win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, the Carolina Panthers<\/a> have been out of business<\/a> for about a month now. So, yeah, we’re already getting antsy about the start of next season.<\/p>\n But how is the outlook already unfolding?<\/p>\n Here is where the Panthers stand across the early power rankings heading into 2026 . . .<\/p>\n NFL Media<\/p>\n Rank: 16<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n Author: Eric Edholm<\/a><\/p>\n Take: There\u2019s plenty to be encouraged by after the Panthers caught up to the Buccaneers<\/a> (even with the Week 18 loss) and outlasted them for the NFC South crown. That Carolina held its own twice against the Rams<\/a> late in the season can\u2019t be overlooked, but neither can the team\u2019s losing record nor the fact that it scored 17 or fewer points in 10 regular-season games. The playoff injury to LT\u00a0Ikem Ekwonu\u00a0is a worry, they still haven\u2019t received enough from former first-round WR\u00a0Xavier Legette\u00a0and there are some free agents that could affect the team\u2019s run game. The defensive worries are plentiful too: a sagging pass rush, not enough coverage flexibility on the back end and so-so tackling. The Panthers have the opportunity to lock up\u00a0Bryce Young\u00a0long term, but has he done enough to warrant such a deal?<\/p>\n ESPN<\/p>\n Rank: 22<\/p>\n Author: David Newton<\/a><\/p>\n Take: With no coaching search for the second straight offseason, the Panthers can now focus on adding much-needed depth instead of rebuilding. General manager Dan Morgan said he already has over 600 names on his draft board, and Carolina is no longer hindered in the draft by its\u00a0trade up\u00a0to take quarterback\u00a0Bryce Young\u00a0in 2023. Morgan also strongly believes ability and hope will attract top free agents. In 2025, the Panthers won their first NFC South title since 2015 and made their first playoff appearance since 2017.<\/p>\n The Athletic<\/p>\n Rank: 13<\/p>\n Author: Josh Kendall and Chad Graff<\/a><\/p>\n Take: The Panthers backed into the playoffs as NFC South champions despite a losing record, but they gave the Rams a fight in the first round before falling 34-31. Carolina has as much momentum as any team in its moribund division and has the added boost of knowing Luke Kuechly is set to become the second-youngest Hall of Famer ever.<\/p>\n Bleacher Report<\/p>\n Rank: 14<\/p>\n Author: Maurice Moton<\/a><\/p>\n Take: The Carolina Panthers made significant progress between head coach Dave Canales’ first two campaigns, and they picked up quarterback Bryce Young’s fifth-year option after his best season. The Panthers are headed in the right direction.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Young-Tetairoa McMillan connection will grow, but Carolina needs a running back as Rico Dowdle prepares for free agency and more playmakers on the defensive side of the ball to stay atop the NFC South.<\/p>\n FOX Sports<\/p>\n Rank: 24<\/p>\n Author: Ralph Vacchiano<\/a><\/p>\n Take: There\u2019s no doubt QB Bryce Young made progress last year, but it wasn\u2019t a lot and not nearly enough to get the Panthers above mediocrity. The odds seem to be against a necessary big leap in Year 4.<\/p>\n Sporting News<\/p>\n Rank: 26<\/p>\n