The Carolina Panthers are being picked to stumble right out of the gate in 2026.
NFL analyst Lou Scataglia of NFL Spin Zone sees Chicago taking Week 1, and he isn’t buying the buzz around Carolina heading into the new season.
“I could end up being quite wrong here, but I just do not see the hype with the Carolina Panthers this year,” Scatagali wrote. “Yes, they won the NFC South last year, but it came with a mediocre 8-9 record, and quarterback Bryce Young was also rather mediocre.
“He passed for at least 200 yards in just four games and went just 8-8 as a starter. Statistically, he played the best football of his career, but that isn't saying much right now.
The Chicago Bears are also, simply, significantly ahead than the Panthers are. Chicago won the loaded NFC North last year with an 11-6 record, as they saw Caleb Williams take a massive step forward in late-game situations, and he was simply playing a more polished brand of football.
“The Bears did need to get better on the defensive side of the ball, as General Manager Ryan Poles did bring in new faces at linebacker and in the secondary. All in all, the Bears are in a higher tier than the Panthers and should win this one.”
Carolina’s division title came with an 8-9 mark, and the Panthers had to get help in Week 18 to lock up the NFC South. That’s the backdrop as Dave Canales and his team head into a season where they won’t be sneaking up on anybody anymore after reaching the playoffs.
Bryce Young’s 2025 season gave Carolina a reason for optimism. He threw for 3,011 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while adding 216 rushing yards and two rushing scores. It also sent the Panthers to the postseason for the first time since 2017.
The former No. 1 overall pick from the 2023 draft now carries career totals of 8,291 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns, 30 interceptions, 718 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in Carolina.
Young is due $12.1 million next season in the fourth year of his rookie contract, and his fifth-year option is valued at a guaranteed $25.9 million.
For now, most NFL insiders do not expect Carolina to work out an extension with Young this offseason, largely because of his inconsistency. Next season looms as another important proving ground for the quarterback.
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