The Carolina Panthers may be coming off a playoff trip, but the wider league view isn’t exactly glowing. In Nick Shook’s latest NFL.com power rankings, Carolina sits at No. 23, a reminder that the defending NFC South champs still have plenty to sort out before 2026 really takes shape.
One of the biggest lingering questions is what happens with Xavier Legette.
Shook singled out the third-year receiver while looking at the Panthers’ outlook, writing: “There wasn't much to glean from the Panthers' preseason, but I am fascinated to see how they distribute carries in the backfield between Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks. Also, where does Xavier Legette fit into this receiving corps? And how much of a difference will Jaelan Phillips make on the defensive side?”
That uncertainty around Legette is hard to ignore. His rookie season was described as frustrating but promising, and his second year did little to build much confidence.
For a stretch, it looked like Legette might be squeezed into the No. 4 spot in the receiver hierarchy. But with 2026 third-round pick Chris Brazzell II out after a season-ending knee injury early in training camp, Legette now sits behind only 2025 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker.
Even then, the bigger issue is what kind of volume comes his way. Bryce Young also has John Metchie III and Jimmy Horn Jr. in the mix, and both stood out during the preseason while Legette mostly stayed on the sideline.
So the role is there, at least on paper. The production?
That part is still very much up in the air. And for the former first-rounder, the pressure is obvious: time is running out to show he can hold down a place at this level.
In Other News...
Panthers Pass Rush Takes An Early Hit Before Week 1
The Panthers are already having to adjust their edge-rush plans before the 2026 season even begins. Head coach Dave Canales said starting outside linebacker Pat Jones II will miss the opener against the Bears because of a back injury, a setback that lands less than ideal for a defense trying to get its rotation settled early.
Jones issue is being described as an aggravation on the opposite side of his back from the injury he dealt with in 2025, which only adds to the uncertainty around how quickly he can get back. In the meantime, Carolina will lean more heavily on Princely Umanmielen, Trevis Gipson and Thomas Incoom, all of whom are in line for larger snaps as the Panthers try to piece together pressure off the edge without one of their expected starters. [Read more 🡒]
Luke Kuechly Just Gave Panthers Fans A New Reason To Watch
Luke Kuechlys latest act pulled him back into the NFL spotlight in a different way, and Panthers fans had a familiar face to latch onto. The former Carolina linebacker and Pro Football Hall of Famer made his debut as a color commentator for Netflixs broadcast of the 49ers-Rams game in Australia, stepping into a booth role with far less broadcasting experience than most of his peers but drawing immediate attention for how naturally he handled it.
The early reaction was strong enough to make this more than a one-off curiosity for Carolina followers who still know Kuechly best as the centerpiece of those defenses. Viewers and analysts praised the way he sounded in his first game, and Netflix has him slated to call three more NFL games this season, giving Panthers fans another reason to tune in and see how his second career keeps taking shape. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Rookie Tackle Is About To Face A Brutal Early Test
The Panthers got real mileage out of their 2025 rookie class, and now the spotlight is shifting to the next wave. Right tackle Monroe Freeling has already been singled out on a preseason All-Rookie team, and with injuries thinning the offensive line, he is expected to be in the starting lineup sooner rather than later. For a team that watched Tetairoa McMillan emerge as the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, there is plenty of reason to believe Carolinas young talent can matter quickly.
Freelings first big chance comes with a difficult assignment waiting on the other side. Montez Sweat is the kind of edge rusher who can make a rookie tackle earn every snap, especially when the protection around him is still getting sorted out. The Panthers do not need perfection from Freeling right away, but they do need him to hold up in a test that will say a lot about how ready he is for the NFL pace. [Read more 🡒]