Blink and you’ll miss it, the NFL regular season is just over a month away. Training camp continues for the Carolina Panthers as Dave Canales’ squad aims to repeat as NFC South champions.
Last season, the Panthers finished in a three-way tie at 8-9 and are the reigning NFC South champions. In order to make sure they can convince doubters they are for real during the 2026 season, they have their work cut out for them. Let’s take a look at four things fans should watch for that could be indicators for how the Panthers’ upcoming season could play out.
Photo: Andrew Stein / Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young looks to prove doubters wrong
Over the last few seasons, the biggest debate in Charlotte has been if the Panthers should move on from former number one overall pick Bryce Young. At times Young has looked mediocre at best. Other times he has looked like the former Heisman winner Carolina drafted back in 2023.
Young had somewhat of a “breakout” season a year ago as he led the Panthers in multiple come-from-behind victories and seemed to take care of the football when it mattered most. However, the young quarterback still made some head-scratching mistakes and displayed some inconsistency.
Regardless of his play, Young’s leadership has always been present. He is always the last one off the field making sure he recognizes each one of his teammates with a high five. While we are used to seeing Young stay calm, collected and encouraging, he has already shown he has a fire lit underneath him this offseason by assertively challenging his team to sharpen up.
It has been reported that Young has had an impressive camp to date. This could be a result of him increasing his intensity. If Young could find the fine line between some fiery passion and not putting too much pressure on himself, we could see this upcoming season be his breakout year and prove he is the franchise quarterback the Panthers are in desperate need of.
Response to Injuries
Injuries are unfortunately part of the NFL game (even though it feels like that is even more the case if you are the Carolina Panthers). How teams respond to major injuries could be the biggest difference between missing the playoffs and being contenders.
So far, the Panthers have faced three injuries that could change the way they operate. Tight end Mitchell Evans suffered an ankle sprain and is currently listed day-to-day. Evans can be expected to be ready by the time the season rolls around however, his recovery time could result in a lack of much needed work with tight ends. Carolina’s offense, a season ago, used the Tight End position very little and could take their game to the next level if they found ways to utilize weapons at this position. Having Evans sidelined for any amount of time could potentially be taking away valuable time to improve this aspect of their game.
Carolina’s 2026 third round pick, WR Chris Brazzell II suffered a more serious injury recently as well. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Brazzell II tore his LCL and is expected to undergo season-ending surgery. While this is a big blow for the Panthers, they proved to the fan base they mean business. Almost immediately following the injury, Carolina added undrafted rookie Gabriel Benyard to their roster to add more depth at receiver with Brazzell out. While this move may not directly make a major impact in the Panthers success this season, their prompt response to this injury should prove to fans that Carolina is truly looking to get better every chance they get and making sure their roster is complete.
Perhaps the most devastating injury the Panthers have faced this offseason is losing outside linebacker Nic Scourton for the season. Scourton tore his ACL during team drills on the first day of training camp. Historically, the Panthers have been able to point to their defense as the reason for any success. Now with Scourton out for the year, the defensive expectations for the Panthers have lowered according to NFL experts. Carolina fans can only hope the front office has something up their sleeve to address the hole that will be left with Scourton out.
Managing these injuries and finding solutions (whether they be internal or external) is a puzzle that Carolina will have to solve in order to put together the 2026 season they desire.
Jonathon Brooks Progression
It is impossible to discuss Panthers injuries without touching on Jonathon Brooks. However, the good news is that Brooks has recovered from previous injuries and has the Carolina camp buzzing.
The running back has only appeared in three games for the Panthers since being selected in the second round of the 2024 draft. Brooks has suffered two ACL tears in the same knee that has set him back significantly.
So far this offseason, Brooks has proved he is back to full strength with what has been described as “explosive” speed. Adding this threat in the backfield could be a major advantage for the Panthers offense, especially after RB Rico Dowdle signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency.
If Brooks can continue down the path he is currently on, he could become an X-factor in the Panthers offensive game plan and fans across the Queen City will suddenly forget about Dowdle.
Creating a Culture?
Let’s face it. The Panthers have been somewhat of the laughing stock in the NFL. Aside from the two seasons they reached the Super Bowl, Carolina is never taken as a true threat to anyone. Even a season ago in the playoffs, they made the postseason with a losing record.
Photo: Andrew Stein / Carolina Panthers
Head coach Dave Canales and quarterback Bryce Young seem to be leading the charge in changing the culture in Charlotte. At the end of last season, Young and the Panthers were gaining national traction and people started asking “Are the Panthers a good football team?” While the responses varied, it had been quite some time since experts even entertained the thought.
Building off last season and continuing to find ways to compete at the highest level, we could see the culture in Charlotte shifting right in front of our eyes. That’s not to say we can expect the Panthers to be in the Super Bowl again this upcoming season but they could be taking a step in the right direction.
If Carolina creates an inviting, competitive culture, we could start seeing free agents across the league start to put the Panthers on their wish list of landing spots and before you know it, Carolina could find itself a contender.
X’s and O’s are obviously important, but the attitudes in Carolina could carry this franchise a long way. It started during the second half of last season and has now carried into training camp as it prepares for the 2026 season.
