One NFL analyst spoke about the Carolina Panthers' biggest strength and weakness.
In a story called "Every NFL Roster's Biggest Strength and Weakness Before 2026 Preseason," NFL analyst Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report said the Carolina Panthers' biggest strength is the "cornerback" spot and their biggest weakness is "pass-catching depth."
At CB, the Panthers have Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson and Chau Smith-Wade. All three players are really, really good.
Meanwhile, at WR, Carolina has Tetairoa McMillan, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year. However, Knox is worried about the other guys (Jalen Coker, John Metchie III, Chris Brazzell II and Xavier Legette).
The Panthers have a difficult 2026 schedule. They face the Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks.
Even though the Panthers won the NFC South title last season, they finished with a sub-.500 record and needed help in Week 18 to win the division. Dave Canales and Co. must prove next season that they didn't just benefit from playing in the league's weakest division.
It will be fascinating to see how Carolina does in 2026. The team will no longer fly under the radar after making the playoffs last season.
Last season, Bryce Young finished with 3,011 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 216 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He led the Panthers to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 campaign.
The first overall pick in the 2023 draft, Young enters next season with 8,291 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns, 30 interceptions, 718 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in a Carolina uniform.
Young is set to make $12.1 million next season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. His fifth-year option is worth a guaranteed $25.9 million.
Most NFL insiders don't expect the Panthers to sign Young to an extension this offseason since the QB has been too inconsistent. Young has to play well again next season to earn an extension.
Some pundits may not believe in Young yet, but Panthers OC Brad Idzik is one of the biggest Young fans out there. There isn't another QB Idzik wants when the game is on the line.
"Just an ultimate competitor and distributor, and he's ice cold in the big moment," Idzik said about Young, via Panthers.com. "The competitor, for him, looks different. But every single person in that team meeting room knows, this guy, he's going to give you everything he's got. He's going to extend every play to the very last second. Go back to Miami last year, down 17, fourth down, and he's buying one extra tick with three guys barreling down on him just to be able to get that ball off to (Tetaroia McMillan) and keep us alive and eventually win the game.
"And then the clutch moments for him, where he doesn't bat an eye, that's just something he's always had. It goes back to Alabama, goes back to Mater Dei; he's a winner, and we've enjoyed watching all those fourth-quarter last-minute drives, giving us a chance in games."
The Panthers open the 2026 season against the Bears at home. Beating Caleb Williams won't be easy, but Carolina has the talent to do it.
