The Carolina Panthers were just dealt a great deal of disrespect following the NFL Draft.
The Carolina Panthers were one of the NFL's most surprising teams in 2025, winning the NFC South division title and nearly defeating the Los Angeles Rams in the playoffs.
They then made some significant signings in free agency and had what most would consider to be a strong NFL Draft, addressing some key needs.
However, not everyone is convinced that the Panthers will be a playoff team yet again in 2026, and Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon in particular feels that their offense could be rather problematic.
Gagnon recently ranked all 32 offenses in the league, and he placed Carolina 27th.
"A lack of continuity with the line could still be problematic, and [Bryce] Young was still the league's seventh-lowest-rated qualified passer in 2025," Gagnon wrote. "He has not completely shed the bust label, and now he's lost a 1,000-yard back. The floor is quite low here."
Now, to be fair to Gagnon, the Panthers did rank 27th in both yards per game and points per game this past season, so it's not like he is coming up with some random ranking here.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young. Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images.But with Carolina boasting a receiving corps that include Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker and incoming rookie Chris Brazzell, not to mention a quarterback in Young who showed obvious progress last season, the Panthers' placement feels a bit low here.
For example, Carolina was ranked behind the Las Vegas Raiders, which definitely feels like a bit on an insult. It's also important to remember that Coker was injured early in 2025, as was running back Chuba Hubbard, who tallied nearly 1,200 rushing yards the season prior.
There is no question that there is some reason for trepidation when it comes to the Panthers' offense. Young is still unproven, Hubbard needs to bounce back after a rough year and Carolina still has major questions at the tight end position.
That being said, the Panthers made the playoffs in 2025, and it's not like they weren't beating good teams throughout the year.
The key will be whether or not Young takes a big step forward next fall. If he does, Carolina's offense could end up surprising some people.
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