The Carolina Panthers won the NFC South last season. However, they are ranked lower than the New Orleans Saints in NFL.com's Week 1 power rankings.
NFL.com ranked the Carolina Panthers lower than the New Orleans Saints in its Week 1 power rankings.
Nick Shook has the Saints at No. 22 and the Panthers at No. 23.
"There wasn't much to glean from the Panthers' preseason, but I am fascinated to see how they distribute carries in the backfield between Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks. Also, where does Xavier Legette fit into this receiving corps? And how much of a difference will Jaelan Phillips make on the defensive side?"
The Panthers won the NFC South last season with an 8-9 record. They needed help in Week 18 to win the division, so they were not a juggernaut in 2025.
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 fascinating 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 be calling 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."
