Will the Carolina Panthers start the 2026 season 0-1?
NFL analyst Lou Scataglia of NFL Spin Zone believes the Carolina Panthers will lose against the Chicago Bears in Week 1 of next season.
Scatagali doesn't "see the hype with the Carolina Panthers this year."
"I could end up being quite wrong here, but I just do not see the hype with the Carolina Panthers this year," Scatagali wrote. "Yes, they won the NFC South last year, but it came with a mediocre 8-9 record, and quarterback Bryce Young was also rather mediocre.
"He passed for at least 200 yards in just four games and went just 8-8 as a starter. Statistically, he played the best football of his career, but that isn't saying much right now. The Chicago Bears are also, simply, significantly ahead than the Panthers are. Chicago won the loaded NFC North last year with an 11-6 record, as they saw Caleb Williams take a massive step forward in late-game situations, and he was simply playing a more polished brand of football.
"The Bears did need to get better on the defensive side of the ball, as General Manager Ryan Poles did bring in new faces at linebacker and in the secondary. All in all, the Bears are in a higher tier than the Panthers and should win this one."
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, 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.
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