Panthers Fans Will Hate ESPN's 2026 Prediction for Carolina

ESPN's Bill Barnwell believes the Carolina Panthers will miss the playoffs this season.

The Panthers won the NFC South last season, but they had a below .500 record (8-9).

"Somebody had to win the NFC South last season," Barnwell wrote. "While the Panthers picked up impressive wins over the Packers and Rams during the regular season, they ranked either third or fourth in the division by most advanced metrics. They finished 25th in DVOA and won a three-way tiebreaker with the Buccaneers and Falcons at 8-9.

"I'm not sure any of the teams in the NFC South are good enough to separate from the pack, but after finishing first a year ago, the Panthers are facing the toughest schedule of any team in their division this season. They've also already been battered by injuries, with players such as Taylor Moton, Tershawn Wharton, Nic Scourton, Ikem Ekwonu and Chris Brazzell II already out before the regular season begins. It's tough to feel really confident in Carolina at the moment, although it's admittedly hard to feel that way about any of its divisional brethren, either."

The Panthers averaged only 18.3 points per game last season. That was 27th in the NFL.

The offense must be better in 2026. Otherwise, Carolina will not make the playoffs again. 

Tetairoa McMillan won the 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He's expected to be even better in 2026 since he got stronger this offseason. 

McMillan led all rookies last season in receiving yards (1,014), receiving yards per game (59.6) and touchdown receptions (seven) and ranked third in receptions (70). He broke the Panthers' franchise record for most receiving yards by a rookie. 

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.

Young enters this season with 8,291 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns, 30 interceptions, 718 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in a Carolina uniform.

It will be intriguing to see how McMillan, Young and the Panthers perform in 2026. They will no longer be under the radar after making the playoffs in 2025. 

Carolina hosts the Chicago Bears to open the 2026 season. Young vs. Caleb Williams should be a fun game.  

Brad Idzik will call offensive plays for the Panthers this season. Idzik has been the Panthers' OC for the past few seasons, but 2026 will be the first year he calls plays. 

"He's definitely been aggressive, which is huge for us," Young said about Idzik and his ability to guide the QB and the game, via ESPN. "That's a part of the offense we can build upon and we can expand in. We have the guys -- I have all the faith in the world in our guys out there. So giving them opportunities down the field; try to be more explosive, more dynamic."  

The Panthers didn't sign Young to an extension. If Young plays well in 2026, he'll get paid next offseason. 

However, if Young struggles and Carolina misses the playoffs, Young could get traded next spring.