Wide World of Wide Receivers

The Panthers’ wide receiver room is heading into the 2026 season with what should be a solid foundation, though it’s far from ideal. The emergence of rookie Tetairoa “T Mac” McMillan gives the group a legitimate building block, and it appears Jalen Coker is poised to step into the No. 2 role behind him.

The biggest disappointment heading into Year Three has been Xavier Legette’s lack of development. At this point, it feels less physical and more mental, as if the game has gotten into his head. At this point, he can’t be counted on.

That makes it encouraging to hear Dan Morgan emphasize the need for a receiver who can take a five yard pass the distance, something this offense clearly lacks right now.

Jimmy Horn was a good sixth round pick and does have some upside based on his burst and athleticism, but it remains wildly unknown what level he can ultimately play at. The Panthers still need someone with greater upside, whether that comes from a rookie or a veteran addition.

I don’t expect the Panthers to address wide receiver in the first round again, especially after spending first round picks at the position in each of the past two drafts. Still, this roster needs to further round out the receiver room with complementary pieces who bring speed and yards after catch ability. I also believe it’s important that Brycen Tremayne has a spot on the roster in 2026. He provides depth and, perhaps more importantly, contributes on special teams, adding value beyond just the receiving game.

And while McMillan looks like a long term answer, it’s worth remembering that a second year slump is always possible. Once the league has a full year of tape, defenses adjust quickly. If a player doesn’t adapt to the small details in Year Two, production can dip in a hurry. Depth and versatility at wide receiver will be critical to insulating the offense from that risk.

Running into Unknowns

The Carolina Panthers’ running back situation is far trickier than it appears and in many ways it is entirely self inflicted.

Chuba Hubbard is expected to resume his role as the clear number one back in 2026, but it remains to be seen whether he can consistently perform as a true lead back over a full season. Rico Dowdle has already stated he is seeking a featured role and a bigger payday, making his return unlikely. Trevor Etienne could see an expanded role in his second season, but projecting him as more than a complementary piece at this stage would be premature.

The biggest variable, however, is Jonathan Brooks and the decision that brought him to Carolina.

No matter how good Brooks may ultimately become, the Panthers made a significant mistake by using a second round pick on a running back they did not need at the time. Hubbard was already a solid, cost controlled option, and the roster had far more pressing long term needs at premium positions. Linebacker depth was thin, the secondary needed another starting caliber safety, and the offensive line, particularly at center, was an obvious concern. Instead of addressing those areas with players like Jackson Powers Johnson or other Day 2 prospects, Carolina invested premium draft capital in the most replaceable position in football.

That decision now looms larger than ever. Brooks is entering his third season having played fewer than five career snaps and coming off two ACL injuries. While he flashed promise in extremely limited action, availability, not talent, is now the defining issue. The Panthers are effectively being asked to hope that a player who has barely been on the field can become the answer behind Hubbard.

When you add it all together, this is the real problem. With the Panthers needing significant help at linebacker, another starting safety, and depth across nearly every position group, running back should have been one of the few spots they did not have to worry about. Instead, based on what is returning, it is yet another uncertainty.

For a team already short on margin for error, being forced to revisit the running back position through the draft, free agency, or both is a roster building failure. It is a dilemma that did not need to exist and one that underscores how a single misallocation of resources can ripple across multiple seasons.

The Bryce is Right?

The Carolina Panthers have a bigger problem at quarterback than many care to admit. To his credit, General Manager Dan Morgan said the right thing this week, but more on that in a moment.

Bryce Young is far from a lock to be the Panthers quarterback for the next decade. After three seasons, the evaluation is becoming clearer. There are moments when Young can lead a team to victory. There are flashes of poise, accuracy, and command. But it is equally clear that his physical limitations prevent him from carrying a team the way Cam Newton once did, even when Cam was surrounded by a shortage of elite playmakers.

That brings us back to Dan Morgan’s comments. Morgan indicated the Panthers need a younger backup quarterback, someone who can develop and, importantly, push Bryce Young. Andy Dalton filled the veteran backup role admirably over the past three seasons, but his lone start this year made it obvious. The game has passed him by.

This is where the real conundrum emerges. Bryce Young has all the makings of a coach killer. The weight of being the number one overall pick, and the massive price the organization paid to select him, will always hang over the franchise. Fair or not, quarterbacks taken at that slot are expected to elevate teams, not require ideal conditions to function.

For years, the refrain has been that Bryce needs more help around him. Yet Cam Newton rarely had that luxury. Outside of an aging Steve Smith and a consistently excellent, borderline great, Greg Olsen, Cam often dragged undermanned offenses to relevance through sheer force of will.

The Panthers appear committed to Young for 2026 and likely 2027. That much seems settled. But his ceiling also appears increasingly defined. The prudent path forward is to draft a younger quarterback and develop him, someone who could eventually grow into a competent NFL starter if Young stalls.

The reality, however, is uncomfortable. What we saw this past season is likely the best case scenario over the next two years. The highs, like the Atlanta game where Bryce looked worthy of his draft slot, and the lows, like Seattle, where he appeared overwhelmed. That level of inconsistency is simply not good enough.

It would not be surprising to see Carolina target a quarterback early in a future draft, not 2026. But if the results remain similar, an even bigger problem arises. The Panthers will likely find themselves drafting in the middle of the pack once again. That means another major trade haul would be required to move up, effectively restarting the entire process that put the franchise in this position to begin with.

And that may be the most concerning part of all.

What’s Next?

The Carolina Panthers’ season ended Saturday with a near-upset of a Super Bowl favorite. Early on, things looked bleak, but the Panthers stormed back, took the lead, and ultimately fell just short. While the final result was disappointing, the return of playoff football to Charlotte was a positive development for the organization and the fan base.

Now the offseason begins, and Carolina has significant work to do.

The most immediate concern is left tackle. Ikem Ekwonu’s knee injury, expected to sideline him for six to twelve months, creates a major question mark on the offensive line. Taylor Moton’s extension secures the right side through 2026, but the tackle position must be addressed early in the draft.

Defensively, this team needs star power in the middle. For an organization long defined by elite middle linebackers, that position currently lacks a true playmaker. Christian Rozeboom is a solid depth piece, and Trevin Wallace offers similar production with more upside, but neither fits the mold of the impact player the Panthers have historically relied upon.

The secondary has similar issues. Trevon Moehrig is a quality safety, but the defense needs a true centerfielder who can roam deep and change games. Latham Ransom is another solid player, yet his skill set overlaps too much with Moehrig’s. Variety and range on the back end are missing.

Offensively, the Panthers still need a legitimate deep threat on the outside. Just as important, they must be willing to call and throw those shots during games to force defenses to respect the vertical passing attack and open up the field.

All things considered, the season was a success because it represented real progress. But windows close quickly in the NFL. The 2015 Panthers are a reminder of how fast fortunes can change. This offseason needs to be a home run. Miss, and Carolina risks slipping back into the cellar, looking like the same old Panthers instead of a team ready to take the next step.

Playoff Prediction: Rams at Panthers

By most measures, this season has been a success. Yes, a winning record would have been nice. Yes, Bryce taking a bigger step forward would be more reassuring for the long-term future. But this organization needed this season.

There is plenty to unpack about this team, and there will be a long offseason to do it. I think that offseason starts tonight. I like the Rams in this one, 31–13. Bryce will leave us with more questions than answers.

Prediction: Panthers at Bucs

It all comes down to this afternoon. The Panthers head to Tampa with just about everything on the line, though they do have tomorrow’s insurance policy, one they are hoping not to cash. This is a tough spot. Beating a divisional opponent twice is never easy, and doing it on the road with so much at stake is an even taller order for such a young team.

It is also hard to have much optimism about the passing offense based on Bryce’s 54 yard performance last week, albeit against a Super Bowl contender. I think Baker Mayfield makes a little magic against a team he clearly despises. Mike Evans has a huge day. The Panthers struggle to get the run game going against Tampa’s style of run defense and fail to fully exploit a banged up and vulnerable Buccaneers secondary.

In the end, I see it finishing Tampa 27, Carolina 17. Then, to make matters worse, the Saints ruin the season by beating the Falcons tomorrow, an Atlanta team that looks dangerously thin on offense outside of Bijan Robinson.

Prediction: Seahawks at Carolina

No matter what happens over the next two weeks, this season should be viewed as a success for the Carolina Panthers, or at least a sign that the organization is moving in the right direction. That said, I’m still not convinced they have found their franchise quarterback.

A fourth season for Bryce Young could bring the increased consistency the team is hoping for, but if that happens, the Panthers will quickly face the difficult reality of having to pay to keep him. I continue to have concerns about some of his outlier traits, though Young does appear to be trending in the right direction. That is especially notable considering his rookie year was essentially wasted in terms of meaningful development.

Today’s game against Seattle will be extremely challenging. The Seahawks have a lot to play for, while this is effectively a meaningless game for the Panthers, assuming the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take care of business against Miami and a late-round rookie quarterback. Given the circumstances, I expect Seattle to come out on top, winning 23–17.

Prediction: Bucs at Panthers

The Panthers have a real opportunity to do something meaningful tomorrow. They can respond to last week’s loss, steady themselves, and once again take control of their own fate. For a young team searching for consistency, this is exactly the type of moment that can signal real progress.

There is also the uncomfortable reality hanging over this matchup. Baker Mayfield is 5-0 against Carolina since leaving in 2022. That history alone is enough to test the confidence of any fan base. Maybe this is the week the Panthers finally flip the script. Maybe this is the game where they show they have learned how to finish.

But they are not there yet.

Tampa does not need to dominate to win this game. They will quietly control the tempo, limit mistakes, and take advantage of Carolina’s inconsistencies. The Panthers will make a few plays and keep things interesting just long enough to create a sense of hope, but it will never truly feel in doubt.

This is part of the process for a rebuilding team. The flashes are real, but the consistency is not.

Final score Tampa Bay 28, Carolina 17.

Coaching, Not Talent, Cost the Panthers on Sunday

Sunday’s game against the Saints should not have shocked anyone who has watched this team all season. What was shocking was Ejiro Evero’s outright refusal to adjust defensively at the end of the game, and even more surprising was Dave Canales allowing it to continue. What did they think was going to happen when you are conceding 12 to 15 yards per play?

Yes, the penalties hurt, but poor coaching decisions ultimately cost the Panthers their outright lead in the NFC South. I never believed this was a true playoff team, even during the last several weeks. Playoff teams show some level of consistency, and this team simply does not have it.

I expect the Panthers to split with the Buccaneers, but only because Tampa Bay is likely to rest starters in Week 18, not because Carolina has suddenly turned a corner.

Prediction: Panthers at Saints

The Panthers travel to New Orleans with a lot on the line. Tampa Bay has dropped its second straight game to this same Saints team the Panthers face on Sunday and then unexpectedly lost again in the Thursday night matchup against the Falcons. Everything appears to be lining up for a playoff push, which is exactly why I don’t think this team gets it done.

A rookie quarterback getting the best of them in front of a loud home crowd will be too much for the Panthers to overcome. This is still a team that lacks the week-to-week consistency needed to be a true playoff contender. I believe the Panthers are about a year away, and when the moment gets big, they come up short.

Because of that, I like the Saints in this one, 28-23.

Prediction: Rams at Panthers

After the uninspired, poor performance game on Monday that included a boat load of injuries and a suspension, the Panthers limp into the final game before the bye week. 

On another note, all teams’ bye weeks should be between weeks 7 through 10. 

Before the break, the team gets the best team in the NFL. This doesn’t farewell for the Panthers. I don’t expect this one to be close. If you would’ve asked me before the season if I would take 6-7 before the bye week and still be in contention for a playoff spot, I would’ve taken it all day long. There have been some highs and lows to this season, but the Panthers are on track for what they want out of it: to build for 2026. This week won’t be pretty as the Rams put up 34 points while the Panthers only muster 13.

Prediction: Panthers at atlanta

The Panthers managed to do the unthinkable after the emotional high of the win over the Packers. They stumbled against a 1-8 team led by a rookie quarterback making just his second career start. That loss felt like a season killer.

Now they head on the road to Atlanta to face an offense loaded with skill talent and possibly two young pass rushers from the Charlotte area who will be eager for revenge. The Panthers have lost every bit of momentum, and I fully expect Atlanta to take advantage.

At this point, one of two things seems true about the Panthers: either Bryce Young is hurt or he simply isn’t the future.

Prediction: Falcons 31, Panthers 17.

Shitshow.

The Panthers completely fell apart. Major questions need to be raised about Bryce Young’s ability to lead a productive offense. He looked awful, and let’s be honest, even in that big win at Green Bay, he wasn’t good there either. The coaching on the Carolina sideline was brutal, while New Orleans’ staff adjusted perfectly, realizing all they had to do was stop the run to win. A quarterback drafted No. 1 overall, with so much sacrificed to get him, should be able to carry a franchise. It’s becoming painfully clear that Bryce can’t do that.

As I’ve said many times before and will keep saying, Bryce Young will never lead this team to any sustained success.

Prediction: Saints at Panthers

I hate to do this because no matter how I feel, I always predict a Panthers loss. But this week feels different. This team has no choice but to go out on Sunday and win, and win big.

The Saints are bad, and the Panthers, at home, are better than average. Bryce needs a strong game for his confidence and for momentum heading into the back end of the schedule. His numbers last week were nothing special, but the wind was brutal and the game plan made sense. Now he needs to look sharp and efficient.

Rico needs to run wild. The Panthers need to control this one from start to finish with no turnovers on offense, at least one takeaway on defense, and complete command on both sides of the ball.

Give me Panthers 34, Saints 13 , in a game where they stay relaxed, confident, in control, and dominant from start to finish.

Prediction: Panthers at Packers

I thought last week’s game against Buffalo would be a close loss,  I was wrong. I also figured this week’s matchup with the Packers would look a lot like what we saw last week: a blowout. But I’ve changed my mind. This is a tough game against a good team in a hostile environment, yet I think the Panthers keep it respectable.

Prediction: Panthers cover the spread (-13.5) 

Panthers 24, Packers 34.

Best Player Philosophy.

It’s starting to feel like Dave Canales is playing favorites instead of simply playing his best players.

After a few weeks where Rico Dowdle has clearly looked like the more explosive and effective runner, Canales seems determined to force Chuba Hubbard back into the mix even though the offense has shown better rhythm and balance when Dowdle carries the load. Meanwhile, along the offensive line, he’s taking the opposite approach.

Despite veteran Austin Corbett being healthy enough to return, Canales has opted to keep Cade Mays at center. Why? Because the line has been performing better as a unit with Mays in the middle. It’s the right decision Mays has earned the spot but it directly contradicts the logic being used in the backfield.

If performance and chemistry are what matter most on the offensive line, then the same standard should apply to running back. Right now, Dowdle’s burst, vision, and ability to consistently move the chains make him the clear choice. Hubbard, though a hard runner, simply has not shown the same ability to create yards when nothing is there.

So why the double standard? It could be veteran politics. It could be loyalty to a player who’s been around longer. Or maybe it’s just a young coach still figuring out how to balance fairness and merit. But whatever the reason, it’s costing this team momentum at a time when consistency is everything.

If Canales really believes in his “best player plays” philosophy, it’s time to apply it across the board. Stick with Mays at center. Ride the hot hand with Rico. The tape does not lie and right now Dowdle gives the Panthers their best chance to win.

Takeaway from another(!!) Panthers win

That was a solid, not spectacular win for the Panthers. More thoughts to come, but the early takeaway is clear: Rico needs the bulk of the carries. He’s explosive and a consistent chain mover. Chuba has a role, but right now the conversation isn’t close, you’ve got to ride the hot hand.

Trap Game Prediction: Jets v. Panthers

I’m a pessimist by nature, and the last two weeks have gone a little too well for this Panthers team. That usually means trouble is coming. This feels like one of those games where things could get ugly. The Jets will finally find success running the ball, especially with their quarterback, and a banged-up Panthers offensive line won’t be able to create much against Quinnen Williams, Add in a very good Jets defensive coordinator, and it’s hard to see Carolina sustaining drives.

And then there’s Bryce Young’s road record,  it’s been abysmal. Until he proves he can win away from Charlotte, it’s hard to pick the Panthers in games like this.

I’ll take the Jets 19, Panthers 17.

Being Stubborn Pays Off.

The Carolina Panthers are finally doing what Head Coach Dave Canales has preached since his arrival in early 2024,  running the football with determination. His insistence on being “stubborn” with the ground game is finally taking hold. The team is also excelling at stopping the run, as shown in their performances against the Dolphins and Cowboys.

These two elements have long been the foundation of success in Carolina, dating back to John Fox’s tenure beginning in 2002. A strong running game and solid run defense can cover up a lot of deficiencies, whether in the roster or the schemes, and right now, the Panthers are proving just that.

This week, the Panthers need to stay committed to Rico and feed him the ball another 22 to 25 times. You could see him wearing down at points yesterday, but he was simply too effective to take off the field. With Chuba Hubbard expected to return, this is an ideal opportunity to ease him back in with around six to eight carries and keep the running game fresh.

On defense, the focus must be on selling out to stop the run. Justin Fields is not likely to beat them through the air, but his ability to extend drives with his legs is a real concern. If the Panthers fail to contain him, it could lead to long possessions that keep their defense on the field and allow the Jets to control the clock. The good news is that Turk Wharton’s expected return should bolster the defensive line and provide valuable depth up front.

Are the Panthers…Decent?

Yesterday was a huge win. The Panthers played well in all phases, aside from the McMillan interception. This victory was the result of what Dave Canales preached early on but didn’t fully commit to at first,  a stubbornness to run the ball. For two straight weeks, that commitment has paid off and led to wins.

Bryce did enough and was solid, but backed by the running game, they managed to put together another strong performance.

Now they head north to play the Jets. Have we finally reached an organizational point where we can say this could be a trap game before the Bills come to town?