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 offensive line will be challenged early, with Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton out for an extended time. Damien Lewis returns to the line, along with Robert Hunt, who played only two games last year. The Panthers sought outside help from Packers tackle Rasheed Walker, Saints tackle Luke Fortner, and Raiders tackle Stone Forsythe. 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 eleven tacklers from last year, including four of their top five, but top tackler Christian Rozeboom is now with the Bucs. Nic Scourton suffered a season-ending knee injury, while Tershawn Wharton remains on the PUP list following offseason neck surgery. Derrick Brown returns as the only full-time starter in the front seven. To fill those gaps, 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. Michael Jackson, Jaycee Horn, Tre’von Moehrig, and Nick Scott returned as full-time starters in the secondary. Horn and Jackson were both placed on injured reserve before Week 4, leaving Carolina without both starting cornerbacks.

Tracy Smith returns as special teams coordinator, along with placekicker Ryan Fitzgerald and punter Sam Martin. With Trevor Etienne on injured reserve, John Metchie III is now the primary kick and punt returner. 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 rely on division opponents to have subpar seasons if you want to reach the playoffs with a losing record.