The Carolina Panthers’ Future

The Carolina Panthers' season has officially ended following a 34-31 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The team fought hard all season, demonstrating great resilience by bouncing back after every loss and ultimately securing their first NFC South division title in ten years. While the team should be proud, several key areas must be addressed to ensure a return to the playoffs next year:

- Pass Protection: The team struggled with pass protection in critical moments. It is essential to provide better protection for Bryce Young moving forward.

- Receiving Corps: Adding a veteran wide receiver would be beneficial. Potential unrestricted free agents to consider include Mike Evans or Deebo Samuel.

- Free Agency and Depth: Decisions must be made regarding several free agents, most notably Rico Dowdle. The team should look to re-sign him at the right price; otherwise, they should look toward the draft for younger, faster options.

- Offensive Identity: As Dave Canales enters his third season, the team needs to establish a consistent offensive identity. It remains unclear whether the Panthers intend to be a run-first team or a pass-heavy offense, and this must be resolved for 2026.