May 15, 2026
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2026 NFL Team Hub: Carolina Panthers

Walt Walt13 mins
Team record, game log, power ranking, schedule, needs, draft grade, and draft pick links.
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The 2025 NFL Season – Team Record and Game Log

Season Review

Carolina Panthers

Record: 8-9-0 Diff: -69 Margin: -8.2 Season: 2025
View Game Log from 2025 Season
Game Result Score
Panthers(0-0) at Jaguars(0-0) LOSS Panthers 10 – Jaguars 26
Panthers(0-1) at Cardinals(1-0) LOSS Panthers 22 – Cardinals 27
Falcons(1-1) at Panthers(0-2) WIN Falcons 0 – Panthers 30
Panthers(1-2) at Patriots(1-2) LOSS Panthers 13 – Patriots 42
Dolphins(1-3) at Panthers(1-3) WIN Dolphins 24 – Panthers 27
Cowboys(2-2-1) at Panthers(2-3) WIN Cowboys 27 – Panthers 30
Panthers(3-3) at Jets(0-6) WIN Panthers 13 – Jets 6
Bills(4-2) at Panthers(4-3) LOSS Bills 40 – Panthers 9
Panthers(4-4) at Packers(5-1-1) WIN Panthers 16 – Packers 13
Saints(1-8) at Panthers(5-4) LOSS Saints 17 – Panthers 7
Panthers(5-5) at Falcons(3-6) WIN Panthers 30 – Falcons 27
Panthers(6-5) at 49ers(7-4) LOSS Panthers 9 – 49ers 20
Rams(9-2) at Panthers(6-6) WIN Rams 28 – Panthers 31
Panthers(7-6) at Saints(3-10) LOSS Panthers 17 – Saints 20
Buccaneers(7-7) at Panthers(7-7) WIN Buccaneers 20 – Panthers 23
Seahawks(12-3) at Panthers(8-7) LOSS Seahawks 27 – Panthers 10
Panthers(8-8) at Buccaneers(7-9) LOSS Panthers 14 – Buccaneers 16
Rams(12-5) at Panthers(8-9) LOSS Rams 34 – Panthers 31

Walt’s Latest Panthers Power Ranking

Updated 5/13/2026 at 5:05 AM
View Full Power Rankings
Rank: 22 Previously: 20
Somehow, some way, the Panthers are 8-9 and nearly beat the Rams in the playoffs. However, they had a negative point differential of 69 and were extremely lucky to win many of their games last season. They got swept by the Saints! However, they were able to make two great defensive additions by signing Devin Lloyd and Jaelan Phillips, so things are looking up.

2026 NFL Season – Upcoming Schedule

Schedule
Week Opponent Time Result
1
vs Bears
9/13/2026 1:00:00 PM EST TBD
2
@ Falcons
9/20/2026 1:00:00 PM EST TBD
3
@ Browns
9/27/2026 1:00:00 PM EST TBD
4
vs Lions
10/4/2026 8:20:00 PM EST TBD
6
@ Eagles
10/18/2026 1:00:00 PM EST TBD
7
vs Buccaneers
10/25/2026 1:00:00 PM EST TBD
8
@ Packers
10/29/2026 8:15:00 PM EST TBD
9
vs Broncos
11/8/2026 1:00:00 PM EST TBD
10
@ Saints
11/15/2026 1:00:00 PM EST TBD
11
vs Ravens
11/22/2026 1:00:00 PM EST TBD
12
@ Buccaneers
11/30/2026 8:15:00 PM EST TBD
13
@ Vikings
12/6/2026 4:25:00 PM EST TBD
14
vs Saints
12/13/2026 1:00:00 PM EST TBD
15
vs Bengals
12/20/2026 1:00:00 PM EST TBD
16
@ Steelers
12/26/2026 1:00:00 PM EST TBD
17
vs Seahawks
1/3/2027 1:00:00 PM EST TBD
18
vs Falcons
1/9/2027 1:00:00 PM EST TBD

Walt’s Team Needs Assessment

Needs
The Panthers somehow won the division in 2025. They had a negative point differential of 69, yet they came out of the NFC South as the champions. With the Falcons and Saints set to improve next year, Carolina will need to bolster its roster.
  • Two Defensive Linemen: It all starts up front, which is where the Panthers need to get stronger in order to improve their defense. Derrick Brown is a beast, but Carolina needs two other defensive linemen to join him.
  • Two Linebackers: The Panthers had some dreadful play over the middle of the field last year, which was nothing new. A brand-new group of linebackers should be acquired. Signed Devin Lloyd
  • Edge Rusher: Carolina had the fifth-fewest quarterback pressures in the NFL last year. They need to a top-tier pass rusher to go along with Nic Scourton.
  • Nickel Cornerback: Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson played great last year, but the Panthers need someone better to play in the slot.
  • Center: The two players who were at center last year are about to hit free agency, but the Panthers could stand to find an upgrade anyway.
  • Tight End: The Panthers drafted Tetairoa McMillan in the first round last year, but they could now be looking for an intermediate threat to further improve Bryce Young’s play.
  • Punter: Sam Martin is set to hit free agency. Re-signed Sam Martin

Walt’s 2026 NFL Draft – Overall Team Grade and Selection Grades

Draft Review
Walt’s Draft Grade: A Grade
Walt’s Grade Summary
The Panthers had seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and five of them scored an A- or better. The two exceptions were graded as “B” and B-. It’s safe to say that Carolina put together a tremendous draft class.

The terrific drafting began in the first round when the Panthers secured Monroe Freeling to protect Bryce Young. With tackle being a huge issue suddenly, the Panthers correctly identified that they had to address this position, and they did so with a high-upside player who can play on the blind side. Then, on Day 2, the Panthers obtained two steals in Lee Hunter and Chris Brazzell, both of whom could have been chosen 20-30 picks earlier with no real complaints. Brazzell could develop into a dynamic weapon for Young.

The Panthers continued their success on Day 3, snagging a talented cornerback in Will Lee, a potential starting center in Sam Hecht, and a possible future starting safety in Zakee Wheatley. This capped off their excellent draft.

Draft Picks / Prospect Links
Pick 19
A-
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
OT Georgia
Rnk: 24 Scouting Report
Some thought that Monroe Freeling would be the first tackle off the board early in this process. That turned out to be nonsense, but Freeling seems like good value here. The Panthers suddenly need tackle help with Ikem Ekwonu dealing with a devastating injury and Taylor Moton heading into his contract year. Protecting Bryce Young is very important, so I like that the Panthers decided to make this decision.
Pick 49
A
Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
DT Texas Tech
Rnk: 31 Scouting Report
Lee Hunter had some first-round buzz, but bigger nose tackles tend to fall. The thing is, Hunter has good athleticism for someone at his size. I like the value the Panthers are getting here, as they are improving their troubled run defense.
Pick 83
A-
Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
WR Tennessee
Rnk: 79
Chris Brazzell is an absolute play-maker. He would have gone much earlier than this if he didn’t have character concerns. There’s a low floor here, but the ceiling is huge. Bryce Young has to be thrilled by this pick.
Pick 129
A-
Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
CB Texas A&M
Rnk: 47
Will Lee is a cornerback with plenty of upside, as he has great length and size. The Panthers had a need for multiple defensive backs entering this draft, and you could argue that Lee could’ve been chosen a bit earlier than this.
Pick 144
B-
Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State
C Kansas State
Rnk: 112
Sam Hecht has supposedly maxed out his frame, so there’s not much upside. He has below-average power. He should be a fine backup, and I had him going around this range, so this pick is just OK.
Pick 151
A
Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
S Penn State
Rnk: 118
Zakee Wheatley is considered a sleeper safety prospect. He was stout against the run for Penn State. I had him going late in the third round, so this is spectacular value and fills a need.
Pick 227
B
Jackson Kuwatch, LB, Miami (Ohio)
LB Miami (Ohio)
Rnk: 444
Jackson Kuwatch needs to be developed, but tested well at his pro day. The Panthers need to continue to address their defense, and I like that they’re swinging for the fences in Round 7.

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