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Last year, the Carolina Panthers ended a seven-year playoff drought by capturing their first NFC South championship since 2015, but they lost in the Wild Card round. Now, the Panthers will look to make it back to the postseason for just the tenth time ever in what will be the franchise's 32nd season – and if they can do that, it will be just the third time they make it in back-to-back seasons.
But to do that, the Panthers will want to improve. Despite making the playoffs last year, the team finished with an 8-9 record – which was the eighth consecutive losing season for Carolina. But they have continued to improve under head coach Dave Canales. So what is the ceiling (and the floor) for the Panthers in 2026?
Ceiling: 10-7
The Panthers won five games in the first season under Canales, which marked a three-game improvement from the year before he arrived. From there, he helped the Panthers jump up to eight wins in 2025. It's clear the franchise is improving under his leadership. Bryce Young flashed some serious potential last year, and Tetairoa McMillan has already proven a worthy top target. If things continue to improve, a winning season is not out of the question.
Floor: 5-12
The Panthers could regress this year, and that possibility shouldn't be counted out. Canales still hasn't posted a winning season with Carolina, and Young could have reached his peak last year and may step back to where he was in his first two seasons. But it's hard to see things getting any worse than they were in the first year under Canales – though that type of performance could still get him fired in his third season.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: What is the ceiling (and floor) for the Carolina Panthers in 2026?
Continue reading...
But to do that, the Panthers will want to improve. Despite making the playoffs last year, the team finished with an 8-9 record – which was the eighth consecutive losing season for Carolina. But they have continued to improve under head coach Dave Canales. So what is the ceiling (and the floor) for the Panthers in 2026?
Ceiling: 10-7
The Panthers won five games in the first season under Canales, which marked a three-game improvement from the year before he arrived. From there, he helped the Panthers jump up to eight wins in 2025. It's clear the franchise is improving under his leadership. Bryce Young flashed some serious potential last year, and Tetairoa McMillan has already proven a worthy top target. If things continue to improve, a winning season is not out of the question.
Floor: 5-12
The Panthers could regress this year, and that possibility shouldn't be counted out. Canales still hasn't posted a winning season with Carolina, and Young could have reached his peak last year and may step back to where he was in his first two seasons. But it's hard to see things getting any worse than they were in the first year under Canales – though that type of performance could still get him fired in his third season.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: What is the ceiling (and floor) for the Carolina Panthers in 2026?
Continue reading...
