The Panthers want to build on last year’s playoff appearance and finish with a winning record after going 8-9. Dave Canales returns for his third year in Charlotte as head coach, and Brad Idzik returns for his third season as offensive coordinator. Bryce Young is back at quarterback and looking to lead his team to a deeper playoff run. The Panthers will miss Rico Dowdle in the run and pass game, while Chuba Hubbard returns as the featured back. Tetairoa McMillan and Xavier Legette return, along with Jalen Coker and tight end Tommy Tremble. The Panthers’ offensive line will be challenged early, with Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton out for an extended time. Damien Lewis returns to the offensive line, along with Robert Hunt, who played only two games last year. The Panthers sought outside help with Rasheed Walker from the Packers, Luke Fortner from the Saints, and Stone Forsythe from the Raiders. Walker opens the season at left tackle, while Carolina is high on Georgia rookie Monroe Freeling, who starts at right tackle. Time will tell whether this new unit gels.

Ejiro Evero returns for his fourth season as defensive coordinator. The Panthers return six of their top 11 tacklers from last year, including four of their top five, but top tackler Christian Rozeboom is now with the Bucs. After those departures, Nic Scourton suffered a season-ending knee injury, while Tershawn Wharton will miss at least the first four games on the PUP list. Derrick Brown returns as the only full-time starter in the front seven. The Panthers hit the free agent market hard, bringing in Jaelan Phillips from the Eagles, Bobby Okereke from the Giants, and Devin Lloyd from the Jaguars. They also bring back four full-time starters in the secondary: Michael Jackson, Jaycee Horn, Tre’von Moehrig, and Nick Scott.

Tracy Smith returns as special teams coordinator, along with placekicker Ryan Fitzgerald and punter Sam Martin. With Trevor Etienne starting the season on injured reserve, Jimmy Horn Jr. initially handled the return duties but was waived after Week 1. John Metchie III is now listed as the primary kick and punt returner, while Jalen Coker also handled punt returns in Week 2. Carolina must turn the page, and it won’t be easy with so many injuries on both sides of the ball, particularly in the trenches. Even then, you can’t depend on division opponents having subpar seasons to reach the playoffs with a losing record.