ESPN lists Panthers as top candidates for regression in 2026

ESPN's Bill Barnwell has identified the Carolina Panthers as one of five NFL teams likely to regress in 2026. Despite winning the NFC South with an 8-9 record in 2025, advanced metrics from Football Power Index (FPI) and DVOA ranked the Panthers as the 25th best team overall, lowest in their division. The Panthers' success relied on a three-way tiebreaker with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons, who all had identical records. To improve their standing, head coach Dave Canales will need to enhance operations, while quarterback Bryce Young must demonstrate his potential, and the team's pass rush needs to become more effective.

• 8:15 PMYahoo Sports — ESPN names Panthers among 2026's top regression candidates