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By Anne Erickson
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The Carolina Panthers led the NFC South last season, and that was a beautiful thing, but their record was only 8-9, so it wasn't a strong showing. In another division, they may have been last with that record.
Two other teams in their division, the Buccaneers and Falcons, also had an 8-9 record, so this is a tight division where talent is pretty equal. That makes it harder to come out on top.
The NFC South, in general, is an interesting division this season. Having a bevy of teams with equal talent in one division is rare, and it should make for tight, exciting games and overtimes.
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But, the Panthers are one of those teams that could go either way in 2026. They could have another strong year and become real contenders or they could flop. But, that question might not be enough to get people watching.
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Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today doesn't believe the Panthers will be a very entertaining team to watch in 2026. In a feature for the outlet, he lists the team at No. 25.
"Embodying the "Keep Pounding" ethos paid off for Carolina, which ended an eight-year playoff drought by capturing the NFC South crown," he says in the piece. "Yet between an offense that ranked 27th in scoring and Bryce Young seldom straying from his reserved tendencies, the Panthers weren't a particularly easy watch."
Why the Panthers Are a Must-Watch in 2026
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the Panthers are a must-watch in 2026. The entire NFC South is actually a division that should be exciting to see, for the reasons I mentioned earlier.
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For the Panthers, it'll be fascinating to see how this new defense unfolds. They added edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd during the offseason in areas of need, and that should change the chemistry of the defense. Also, seeing how offensive coordinator Brad Izik's playcalling works in 2026 is another reason to circle this team on your NFL viewing schedule.
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