The Carolina Panthers have had a rollercoaster season so far.
The team had a horrendous defensive showing in Week 1, allowing 59 points and over 500 total yards to the Chicago Bears. Then, in Week 2, the team couldn’t have looked any more different. They held the Atlanta Falcons to three points and won in dominating fashion.
In Week 3, the team unfortunately fell back down again. The team lost a very winnable game to the Cleveland Browns, and the bad habits we thought were gone creeped back in.
Now, the team enters Week 4 desperately needing a win to get back on track. Will they look closer to how they looked in Week 1 or Week 2? We’ve seen enough from the team so far to draw some conclusions.
Today, let’s go over four true statements about this team.
Bryce Young Has Grown Tremendously
Not many players were feeling more pressure heading in the 2026 season than Bryce Young. The quarterback is playing for a new contract and trying to prove he can be a franchise passer.
Well, the quarterback played great in Week 1, despite a big loss. Young then dominated in Week 2 and had a fine game in Week 3. So far, Young has 939 yards with seven touchdown and just two interceptions. Young is on pace to have his best season by a decent margin.
Three games is a solid sample. I feel comfortable definitively stating that Young has taken a step forward.
The Offensive Line Isn’t Good Enough
It actually looked like the Panthers’ offensive line might be okay this season. Despite being without Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton, there was optimism about Rasheed Walker and Monroe Freeling, and these solid guards in the middle.
Well, through three weeks, the unit has clearly not been good enough. Damien Lewis is the only lineman who hasn’t been bad, actually, which is far from idea. Now, Lewis is hurt, which means there’s not one spot on the line you can feel confident about right now. The Panthers have invested $100 million+ into this line, and Young has still been pressured more than any other quarterback.
Brad Idzik’s Playcalling Has Been an Improvement
at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik was handed playcalling duties this offseason, and he’s impressed for the most part. Young looks better than ever, and the Panthers are near the top of the league in yards and points.
It’s not like Young is just dumping the ball off, either. Young is near the top of the league in deep ball percentage, and there’s been a nice mix of run and pass plays. The offense just seems more fluid and smooth.
The Defensive Line Has Been Disappointing
Coming into the season, it really seemed like this defensive line had the potential to be elite. The team used a second-round pick on Lee Hunter, and already Bobby Brown III, Tershawn Wharton, and Derrick Brown.
Well, that hasn’t gone according to plan. Wharton hasn’t played in 2026, and we don’t know when/if he’ll return. Derrick Brown is on pace to have his worst pro season, and Hunter has struggled mightily as a rookie. Undrafted free agent Aaron Hall has outplayed Hunter so far.
The Secondary is in Major Trouble
The Panthers had one of the best corner duos in the league last year. Mike Jackson and Jaycee Horn combined for nine interceptions and were elite at limiting big plays. That should have been the case again in 2026, but both men were recently added to injured reserve.
Without Horn and Jackson, things could get scary. The only corners the team has on the active roster right now are Chau Smith-Wade, Will Lee III, and Akayleb Evans. What was once a major strength could now become a major weakness.
