Panthers get reality check from anonymous NFL executives

It’s undeniable that the Carolina Panthers have improved a lot over the last couple of seasons. After finishing with a 2-15 record in 2023, they won five games the following year, then eight (and a division title) in 2025.

While the progress is encouraging, the hard truth is that the Panthers still have a long way to go before they are considered a true contender. They may have made the playoffs, but only because they won the NFC South . . . off a three-way tie.

Those within the league still see this team as below average, if ESPN’s new starting lineup rankings are any sign. Anonymous executives have put Carolina at No. 24 in these rankings, and named the running back position as their biggest weakness:

Chuba Hubbard returns after a rough 2025 season in which he battled injuries and ineffectiveness while losing lead back duties to Rico Dowdle. With Dowdle gone, 2024 second-rounder Jonathon Brooks (one appearance in two seasons due to a pair of torn ACLs) will battle for work and provides youth and potential, as does 2025 fourth-round pick Trevor Etienne. There’s hope that this group can be solid, but its unproven nature makes it an obvious concern area.

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Chuba Hubbard returns after a rough 2025 season in which he battled injuries and ineffectiveness while losing lead back duties to Rico Dowdle. With Dowdle gone, 2024 second-rounder Jonathon Brooks (one appearance in two seasons due to a pair of torn ACLs) will battle for work and provides youth and potential, as does 2025 fourth-round pick Trevor Etienne. There’s hope that this group can be solid, but its unproven nature makes it an obvious concern area.

On the positive side, execs named the offensive line as the Panthers’ greatest strength. Carolina bulked up the trench through the open market and the draft—adding left tackles Rasheed Walker and Monroe Freeling and centers Luke Fortner and Sam Hecht.

Their x-factors are the two big free-agent pickups—outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips and inside linebacker Devin Lloyd:

The Panthers are coming off a season in which they ranked 22nd and 26th in EPA allowed per dropback and designed run, respectively. If they get what they are expecting from Phillips (pass game disruption and a player who can augment the run stop) and Lloyd (playmaking and turnover generation), they could be OK on that side of the ball. If not? Then Carolina’s defense could struggle again.

The Panthers are coming off a season in which they ranked 22nd and 26th in EPA allowed per dropback and designed run, respectively. If they get what they are expecting from Phillips (pass game disruption and a player who can augment the run stop) and Lloyd (playmaking and turnover generation), they could be OK on that side of the ball. If not? Then Carolina’s defense could struggle again.

Phillips and Lloyd should help continue the unit’s ascent. The Panthers went from the 32nd-ranked defense in 2024, when they allowed the most points in NFL history, to 16th this past season.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers get reality check from anonymous NFL executives