If this happens, someone is getting fired.
The Carolina Panthers have been predicted to "fall apart" and miss the playoffs this season by NFL analyst Moe Moton of Bleacher Report.
Moton believes the Panthers will go 7-10 in 2026.
"The Panthers are headed for significant regression," Moton wrote. "In 2025, they lost three of their last four regular-season games but still clinched a playoff berth with an 8-9 record. The NFC South is still a weak division, but one of these teams (the Saints) will finish above .500. There's a reason Carolina is hesitant to give quarterback Bryce Young an extension; he barely eclipsed 3,000 passing yards last season. Between Weeks 8 and 11 against the Green Bay Packers (on short rest), Denver Broncos, Saints and Baltimore Ravens, this team will fall apart on a losing streak."
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 this season that they didn't just benefit from playing in the league's weakest division.
The Panthers have a difficult 2026 schedule. They face the Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks.
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 this season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. His fifth-year option is worth a guaranteed $25.9 million.
Young has to play well again this season to earn an extension. If he struggles and the Panthers miss the postseason, the Alabama product may get traded next offseason.
The Panthers open the 2026 season against the Bears at home. Beating Caleb Williams won't be easy, but Carolina has the talent to do it.
