As the 2026 NFL season approaches, the Carolina Panthers find themselves in a challenging position, having made significant strides in recent years but still not quite breaking into the upper echelon of the league. Despite their improvements, NFL executives have voted the Panthers as the 10th best team in the NFC, indicating that while they are no longer at the bottom, they still have work to do.
This ranking comes from a recent anonymous poll conducted by The Athletic, which surveyed NFL executives about their perceptions of the league's teams. While the Panthers have shown promise, particularly with the development of their young quarterback, Bryce Young, the consensus is that they remain below average compared to their NFC counterparts.
One executive who ranked the Panthers as the seventh-best team expressed optimism about their potential, stating, "Carolina is ready to take a step if the quarterback (Bryce Young) does what he did at the end of last year, because they have improved greatly on defense." This sentiment reflects a belief that the Panthers could be on the verge of turning a corner, provided Young continues to develop and perform at a high level.
Last season, the Panthers demonstrated both competitiveness and inconsistency, managing to challenge prominent teams such as the Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, and Seattle Seahawks. However, they also suffered disappointing losses to teams like the Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints, which highlighted their struggle to maintain a consistent level of performance throughout the season.
For the Panthers, consistency is key as they look to build on their recent progress. Young's performance will be crucial, especially considering that he had 12 games last season where he threw for fewer than 200 passing yards. If he can elevate his game and provide more stability at the quarterback position, the Panthers could very well improve their standing in the NFC.
As the team prepares for the upcoming season, the focus will be on how they can harness their potential and translate it into more wins. With a stronger defense and the right development from Young, the Panthers could surprise many and challenge for a higher ranking in the NFC.
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