Carolina Panthers: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

'Not acceptable' — Panthers GM Dan Morgan says what needed to be said about one of the Panthers' more pressing issues going into 2026

The Carolina Panthers largely overachieved during the 2025-26 season after winning the NFC South title, albeit with a 8-9 record. But, the team still made some noise during the playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams and had big wins during the regular season that proved this team is ready to compete.

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

4 longtime Carolina Panthers who probably won't be back in 2026

Because they have had so much roster turnover in the last few seasons, the Carolina Panthers have precious few stalwarts. Fans haven't grown attached to too many players since they have mostly not been around long.

Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / January 15

5 most important things that happened to Carolina Panthers in 2025

A lot happened to the Carolina Panthers in 2025. They won the division, made the playoffs, beat the Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers, saw a ton of development from young players, and more.

Isaiah Likely News / Carolina Panthers on SI / January 15

Potential Panthers' FA target dubbed player to avoid in 2026

The Carolina Panthers need a tight end. Isaiah Likely is a tight end, and he's, at times, shown the ability to be a high-level one at that. The Baltimore Ravens extended Mark Andrews ahead of Likely's free agency.

Bo Nix News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Most passes thrown by NFL season' quiz

How many of the NFL quarterbacks to lead the league in passes attempted for each season since the AFL/NFL merger can you name in six minutes?

The 'NFL passing leaders in their first 2 years' quiz

The 'Super Bowl-winning head coaches' quiz

The 'Last 100-yard rusher by NFL team' quiz

Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / January 15

Should the Carolina Panthers swing big on A.J. Brown trade?

The Carolina Panthers seem to have two really good wide receivers in Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, forming a strong one-two punch on offense. Beyond that, though, the WR is not in the best shape.

NFL News / Yardbarker

Who had the most sacks in a season during the NFL's pre-modern era?

Thanks to pro-football-reference.com's addition of unofficial sack totals to players' resumes, more clarity has emerged about the best pass-rushing years from previous eras.

Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / January 15

5 Carolina Panthers' pending free agents that must be re-signed

The Carolina Panthers have 22 pending free agents of varying statuses, according to Spotrac. This includes some exclusive rights free agents, such as Jalen Coker, who are almost automatically re-signed.

Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / January 15

Worrying trend must end in 2026 for Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers were not very good on third down in 2025. Their defense was pretty awful. So many times, they'd have the opposing offense in third-and-long but failed to prevent a big play.

Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / January 15

Breakout Panthers star could be legitimate Fantasy Football option in 2026

The Carolina Panthers have long been a Fantasy Football graveyard. They haven't had a fantasy-relevant QB since Cam Newton. They've had just a handful of running backs and wide receivers reach that level in the last several years.

Carolina Panthers News / A to Z Sports / January 14

Dave Canales hints timing may finally be right for a recent draft pick to begin carving out a meaningful role in Panthers offense

The Carolina Panthers got incredible return on investment during the 2025 season with running back Rico Dowdle after signing the N.C. native to a one-year, $2.75 million contract during the offseason.

Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / January 14

It's time to revisit Panthers' decision to take Bryce Young over C.J. Stroud

The 2023 quarterback class was supposed to be great. The Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and even the Tennessee Titans seemed to be poised to find their next franchise QB.

Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / January 14

NFL insider rips Panthers' chances of returning to playoffs in 2026

There are eight teams still in the running when it comes to making plans to reach Super Bowl LX. There are also six clubs that are looking towards 2006 after being eliminated last Saturday (Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers), Sunday (Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, and Los Angeles Chargers) and Monday (Pittsburgh Steelers).

NFL News / Yardbarker

Looking back at every NFL Christmas Day game

For years, Thanksgiving belonged to the NFL, but Christmas belonged to the NBA. Occasionally, an NFL game would fall on Christmas, but it was anomalous, even avoided if possible.

Carolina Panthers News / NFLTradeRumors.co / January 14

Panthers Cut S D’Anthony Bell

The Carolina Panthers announced they have waived S D’Anthony Bell. He caught on with the team late in the season. He was on an expiring contract, so this just gives him a little head start on the rest of the market. Bell, 29, signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa Central following the 2022 NFL Draft.

Bryce Young News / Carolina Panthers on SI / January 14

Grading Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young's full 2025 season

Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young's third season in the NFL is complete. Following a surprise playoff berth and an inspiring losing effort, the Panthers now enter the offseason with some questions at key positions.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Winning NFL playoff debuts' quiz

The 'Passing + Rushing TD playoff games' quiz

The 'Active 1K-receiving-yard seasons' quiz

The 'NFL Playoff rushing-TD leaders' quiz

Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / January 14

For the second year, a Georgia defender is Panthers' best draft fit

Last year, the Carolina Panthers selected Jalon Walker in endless mock drafts before shocking the world by passing on him when the actual draft came. They took Tetairoa McMillan, and the rest is history.

Rico Dowdle News / LWOSports.com / January 14

Four Potential Landing Spots for Unrestricted Free Agent Rico Dowdle in 2026

Coming off his second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season, Rico Dowdle is set to be one of the top running backs available in 2026 NFL free agency. After

Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / January 14

Carolina Panthers have clear, pressing needs, and they're all on defense

The subject was the now-reigning NFC South champion Carolina Panthers. The team heads into the 2026 offseason off its first division title since 2015. Dave Canales’s club came up short in the wild card round in a wild 34-31 setback to the visiting Los Angeles Rams.

Dan Morgan News / Carolina Panthers on SI / January 14

Panthers to take “patient” approach to free agency, what positions are top priority?

When speaking to the media on Tuesday, general manager Dan Morgan was asked about his approach to this offseason, specifically how the Carolina Panthers will handle free agency.

NFL News / Yardbarker / January 14

Giants icons helping John Mara in recruitment of John Harbaugh

A previous report shared that former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll had given "rave reviews about" the Giants and about 2025 rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart during conversations with some head-coach candidates.

Giants seemingly have made huge decision that could impact pursuit of John Harbaugh

Should you buy or sell John Harbaugh-Titans buzz?

Giants seem prepared to meet at least some of alleged John Harbaugh demands

Giants’ Chris Mara Had Informal Meeting With John Harbaugh

John Harbaugh Expected To Interview With Giants, Titans & Falcons This Week

Xavier Legette News / Carolina Panthers on SI / January 14

4 trade destinations for Xavier Legette if Panthers decide to move on

It's probably time for the Carolina Panthers to move on from Xavier Legette. He's been a disaster, and he continues to slide down the depth chart. He's WR3 now, but it wouldn't be a shock if he continued to slide.

Bryce Young News / LWOSports.com / January 14

3 Observations on Bryce Young After His First Playoff Game

In a thrilling NFC Wild Card matchup on Saturday, Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young made his NFL playoff debut against the Los Angeles Rams, showcasing significant growth and resilience despite a heartbreaking 34-31 loss.