4 biggest takeaways from the Panthers' 2026 schedule release
What are the biggest takeaways from the Panthers' official 2026 schedule?
After days of leaks, rumors and speculation, we now know exactly what'll be on the Carolina Panthers ' plate here in 2026. And thanks to the capturing of their first NFC South title in a decade, they're going to have plenty to eat for the upcoming campaign. Here are our biggest takeaways from the release of the Panthers' regular-season schedule .
. . Buck the slow start Carolina started at 1-3 in both of Dave Canales' first two seasons as head coach.
They put out a messy start in 2024, where starting quarterback Bryce Young was benched after just two games, and then limped their way out of the gate in 2025. But the Panthers might have a chance to buck that trend, or at least come out of the first month at or above the . 500 mark.
The bookends to that stretch won't be easy—as the NFC North champion Chicago Bears and the always-tough Detroit Lions come to town in Weeks 1 and 4, respectively. They will, though, take on two less-than-intimidating road opponents in the Atlanta Falcons (Week 2) and the Cleveland Browns (Week 3). With both Atlanta and Cleveland trying to sort out two of the messiest quarterback situations in the league, Carolina's improving defense could have themselves some fun on the road.