The Carolina Panthers could be 2-2 after Week 4.
The Carolina Panthers begin the 2026 NFL season against the Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.
After seeing that schedule, NFL analyst Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report predicted that the Panthers would get off to a "mild" start in 2026.
"The Carolina Panthers won the NFC South with an 8-9 record last year, and the first-place schedule the Panthers earned as a result is an issue for the team this year," Davenport wrote. "Carolina had better be at least 2-2 when their Week 5 bye rolls around, because the post-bye slate in murderous—three of four after that bye are against playoff teams from a year ago. So, the Panthers need to notch two wins from four games vs. Chicago, at Atlanta, at Cleveland and home against Detroit."
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. Canales and Co. must prove next season that they didn't just benefit from playing in the league's weakest division.
The only way the Panthers will make the playoffs again next season is if Bryce Young takes his game to another level. The former No. 1 overall pick finished the 2025 season with 3,011 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 216 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
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. He's 14-30-0 as a starter.
If Young plays well next season, he will likely get an extension next offseason. However, if Young underperforms in 2026, he could get traded.
The Panthers recently picked up the fifth-year option on Young's contract, but Carolina is not expected to sign the QB to an extension this offseason.
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.
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