2026 Carolina Panthers Team Preview
The Panthers saw their seven -year playoff streak end in 2025 despite
posting an 8-9 record. Since drafting Bryce Young, Carolina went 15-36
while being outscored by 442 points. Dave Canales survived his second
season as the Panthers’ head coach, giving him a 13-21 record with
one loss in the postseason. His pro coaching career started in 2010.
Canales was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive coordinator in 2023.
Brad Idzik worked under Dave Canales in 2023, leading to him getting
promoted to the Panthers’ offensive coordinator job in 2024. He also
came through the Seattle Seahawks’ coaching tree. Carolina ranked
27th in offensive yards (5,281) and 26th in points scored (311).
The Panthers’ defense remains in the hands of Ejiro Evero, who took
over the job in 2023. He worked as the Denver Broncos’ defensive
coordinator in 2022 after starting his professional coaching career in
2011. Carolina improved to 18th in yards allowed (5, 753) and 15th in
points allowed (380).
Offense
The Panthers developed more into a running team last year, leading to
them rushing the ball 47.2%, up from 42.8%. Carolina finished 19th in
rushing yards (1,977) with nine touchdowns and nine runs of 20 yards
or more. They averaged 27.1 carries while gaining 4.3 yards per rush.
Teams RATT YDS Run% ATT YDS Pass% Plays Yards
C arolina Panthers 461 1977 0.472 515 3304 0.528 976 5281
Offensive Run/Pass Splits
They continue to have weakness in passing yards (3,304 – 27th), with
their quarterbacks tossing 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Their
offensive line gave up 35 sacks. Carolina gained only 6.4 yards per
pass attempt, with weakness in their completion rate (63.9%).
Quarterbacks
QB Kenny Pickett, CAR
Kenny Pickett projects for 183 passing yards, 1.3 passing TDs, and 1 INTs, with 9 rushing yards and 0 rushing TDs adding fantasy value for the Carolina Panthers. This is a projection-derived draft blurb and requires player-ID and team validation before CMS import.
QB Bryce Young, CAR
Bryce Young projects for 3627 passing yards, 24 passing TDs, and 11 INTs, with 242 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs adding fantasy value for the Carolina Panthers. This is a projection-derived draft blurb and requires player-ID and team validation before CMS import.
RB Chuba Hubbard, CAR
Chuba Hubbard projects for 155 carries for 620 yards and 5 TDs, plus 32 catches for 204 yards and 1 TDs in the Carolina Panthers offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
RB Jonathon Brooks, CAR
Jonathon Brooks projects for 199 carries for 857 yards and 7 TDs, plus 25 catches for 189 yards and 1 TDs in the Carolina Panthers offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
RB Trevor Etienne, CAR
Trevor Etienne projects for 31 carries for 136 yards and 1 TDs, plus 12 catches for 88 yards and 0 TDs in the Carolina Panthers offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
RB AJ Dillon, CAR
AJ Dillon projects for limited stat volume in the current projection set in the Carolina Panthers offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
