Bryce Young’s growth has become one of the few steady things in Carolina, and it’s happening in spite of the setup around him. Three years into his NFL career, the Panthers quarterback has clearly taken steps forward - and the fact that he’s done it with so little offensive help says plenty about the job he’s had to do.
That was the backdrop for a new CBS Sports ranking from Jared Dubin, which placed Carolina 28th in the league in offensive infrastructure. The Panthers landed at a 3.0 in his system, a score that represents an average supporting cast.
Dubin’s model breaks things down across four areas: play caller, offensive line, pass catchers and running backs. The play caller, offensive line and pass catchers carry more weight than the backs, reflecting how modern NFL offenses actually operate.
Even with that framework, Carolina still sits in the lower tier. The offensive line gives the Panthers something to build on, and you could make the case that the skill group deserves a slightly better grade because of that. But at its absolute best, the current collection of skill players still looks like a group that belongs no higher than 25th overall.
The tight end room is the clearest weak spot. Carolina hasn’t made any meaningful investments there over the last two years, and that shows up in the ranking. Running back is another unsettled area, especially now that Rico Dowdle, the team’s leading rusher from 2025, is gone to Pittsburgh.
So if there’s a path for this offense to climb, it starts with the young receivers. Tetairoa McMillan is the biggest name in that conversation after a promising rookie season, and the Panthers need him to keep moving forward. If Jalen Coker can stay healthy for a full year and Xavier Legette can be anything but a net negative, that would help too.
In Other News...
Tetairoa McMillan Camp Mess Has Panthers Fans And Parents Heated
What was supposed to be a youth football camp tied to Tetairoa McMillan instead turned into a frustrating day for families at A.C. Reynolds High School on July 1, when parents showed up expecting an event that was no longer happening. McMillan was not involved in planning and could not attend, and FlexWork Sports later confirmed the camp had been canceled back in February, leaving a messy gap between what families were told and what was actually on the calendar.
The school added another layer to the confusion by saying it never approved the event in the first place, and the NCHSAA dead period would have blocked facility use anyway. For Panthers fans, it is the kind of off-field headache that reflects poorly on everyone attached to the name, especially when the communication breakdown lands on parents who were simply trying to give their kids a football experience. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers May Finally Have A Real Answer To Bryce Young's TE Problem
The Panthers have spent the offseason trying to sort out a tight end room that still looks more functional than threatening for Bryce Youngs passing game. Tommy Tremble, JaTavion Sanders and Mitchell Evans are the names currently in line for the job, but Carolina has been working with a group that needs more proven help in the middle of the field, especially as the rest of the passing options remain relatively thin behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker.
One possible path to easing that pressure is a veteran addition in free agency, and the fit makes sense on paper because Carolina is looking for a pass-catching tight end who can give Young a more reliable target. The appeal is easy to see after a strong run earlier in the players career, though the most recent season was far less productive, which leaves the Panthers weighing upside against the risk that the answer might not be as simple as the need. [Read more 🡒]
John Metchie May Have One Edge Panthers Fans Should Watch Closely
John Metchie IIIs arrival gives the Panthers something more than another name in the receiver room. After signing a one-year deal, he is back alongside Bryce Young, the quarterback he once caught passes from at Alabama, and that shared history matters in a competition where timing, trust and familiarity can separate the last few roster spots.
Metchie is now in the mix with several other wideouts as Carolina sorts through its depth chart, but the connection with Young is the one edge fans will notice first. The two already know how to work together, and for a team trying to sharpen its passing game, that kind of built-in chemistry can make Metchie a player worth watching closely as camp unfolds. [Read more 🡒]