The Carolina Panthers were one of the NFL's surprise teams in 2025. The team went on to win the NFC South despite almost nobody outside of Carolina picking them to do so.
Now, the hope is that another division title is coming in 2026. The NFC South is notoriously unpredictable, though, and there's reason to believe each of the three other teams could be better in 2026.
Today, let's go over four things that have to happen if the Panthers want to repeat as division champions.
Bryce Young has to Take a Leap
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Bryce Young is entering this season with a ton of pressure on him, there's no denying that. It's the quarterback's fourth season, and he's playing to prove he's the franchise passer and to earn a massive new contract.
Young was fine in 2025, throwing for a career-high 3,011 yards and 23 touchdowns. However, the Panthers need even more than that going forward. Young has a solid offensive line (assuming it gets healthy), a No. 1 receiver in Tetairoa McMillan, and a reliable defense, so there's no excuse.
Young's 2025 performance was enough to win a weak division, so if he goes a step further, the Panther should have no trouble. A Pro Bowl season from Young would not only get the Panthers to the playoffs again, but it would remove doubt about the game's most important position.
Pass-catcher Other than Tetairoa McMillan has to Step up
In 2025, Tetairoa McMillan burst onto the scene as a rookie. The receiver played in all 17 games and caught 70 passes for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns. McMillan easily led the team in catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns.
In fact, nobody on the team other than McMillan had even 400 yards. Jalen Coker had some nice moments, but he still ended with just 394 yards. If the Panthers don't have somebody else step up, defenses can zero in on McMillan and make Bryce Young's life much more difficult.
Coker, Xavier Legette, or Chris Brazzell II stepping up and becoming a true WR2 would do wonders for this offense.
Offensive Line has to get (and stay) Healthy
The Panthers' offensive line is going to look much different in Week 1 than it did in 2025. Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu will miss at least the first half of the season, while right tackle Taylor Moton has no timetable for his return as he deals with blood clots.
As a result, the team will rely on veteran Rasheed Walker and rookie Monroe Freeling at the tackle spots. If either player struggles mightily, then it could be enough to sink the offense. The center spot is another big question mark, as Cade Mays left for the Detroit Lions.
If Walker and Freeling can hold it down until the starters get back, things should be okay. Ekonwu and Moton were both good in 2025, so they'll be greatly missed until they return.
Win the Winnable Games
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The Panthers have one of the toughest schedules in the league this season. Some of the toughest games include the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, and Seattle Seahawks.
As a result, the Panthers have to win the "easy" ones. Take advantage of the NFC South matchups and games against the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings. If the Panthers can't take care of business in those games, it's hard to imagine a path to the postseason.
