The Carolina Panthers deserve better than this.
The Carolina Panthers were one of the NFL's most pleasant surprises in 2025, winning the NFC South and nearly beating the high-powered Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs.
However, there are still many who do not quite believe in the Panthers.
Take Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus, for example, who just revealed his post-free agency NFL power rankings.
And where was Carolina? All the way down at No. 26 ... last in the division.
"As one of the biggest winners of free agency, the Panthers have created a promising outlook for 2026," Cameron wrote. "Devin Lloyd and Jaelan Phillips will revamp a defense that struggled to field top talent in the front seven. While the roster has the potential to make major strides in 2026, finding consistency will be the key. And it all starts with Bryce Young and Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan, who will aim to further build their chemistry."
Wait; so Carolina was "one of the biggest winners o free agency" and have a "promising outlook," and yet the Panthers are ranked 26th?
Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.Something doesn't really make much sense here.
I don't think anyone is expecting Carolina to contend for a Super Bowl next season. The team still has too many holes, and Young still has a whole lot to prove. But does anyone truly believe that the Panthers will be one of the worst teams in football?
Well, apparently Cameron does.
For the sake of perspective, the New Orleans Saints — who, to be fair, did have a strong surge at the end of 2025 — are ranked one spot ahead of Carolina. The only teams behind the Panthers? The Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets.
It seems fairly safe to say that Carolina is far superior to all of those ballclubs, and given how weak the NFC South is, the Panthers should once again push for a division crown next fall. In fact, Carolina should be the favorite right now.
Of course, a strong NFL Draft next month would certainly help the Panthers' cause, but Carolina seems to be in a decent spot right now.
The 26th best team in football? Yeah, that sounds a bit wild.
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