Projecting the Panthers' Starting Lineup After Preseason

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) signals first down on Oct. 5, 2025.Credit&colon; Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Projecting the Panthers' Starting Lineup After Preseason

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Bryce Lazenby | Last updated Aug 29, 2026 8:22 PM ET

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Well, the Carolina Panthers have completed the 2026 preseason. The team won three of their four exhibitions and now has to cut a big chunk of their roster before preparing for Week 1.

While we don’t know exactly who will be cut, we have a good idea of who WON’T be cut. We took a stab at projecting the starting lineup a couple of weeks ago, but some things have changed since then.

For example, the team signed a player on Saturday who will most likely start. Now, let’s predict what the starting lineup will look like now.

Panthers’ Starting Offense

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) celebrates with offensive tackle Taylor Moton (72) and wide receiver Jalen Coker (18) after scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run against the New York Giants in the second half during the 2024 NFL Munich Game at Allianz Arena.© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Quarterback: Bryce Young

Running Back: Chuba Hubbard

Wide Receiver: Tetairoa McMillan

Wide Receiver: Xavier Legette

Tight End: Tommy Tremble

Slot Receiver: Jalen Coker

Left Tackle: Rasheed Walker

Left Guard: Damien Lewis

Center: Luke Fortner

Right Guard: Robert Hunt

Right Tackle: Monroe Freeling

There’s only one change on the offense, and it’s at tight end. Darren Waller didn’t debut in the preseason, so it seems unlikely he’ll be the starting tight end in Week 1.

The Panthers are likely content with what they saw from the offensive line this summer. Walker and Freeling seem more than capable of holding down the fort until Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton return.

Panthers’ Starting Defense

Carolina Panthers Tre’von Moehrig.Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Defensive End: Derrick Brown

Nose Tackle: Bobby Brown III

Defensive Tackle: Cam Jackson

Outside Linebacker: Jaelan Phillips

Linebacker: Devin Lloyd

Linebacker: Bobby Okereke

Outside Linebacker: Patrick Jones II

Cornerback: Jaycee Horn

Cornerback: Mike Jackson

Safety: Tre’von Moehrig

Safety: Nick Scott

We’ve got two changes to the projection on defense. Rookie defensive tackle Lee Hunter did not look great this preseason, and he may not be ready to start right away. As a result, I have Cam Jackson starting.

Then, the big one is at linebacker. The starting spot next to Devin Lloyd has been a major question mark all offseason. Trevin Wallace and Claudin Cherelus were battling for the job, but neither man was able to impress.

Instead of rolling with an unproven option, the Panthers went out and signed veteran Bobby Okereke today. Okereke has almost 100 starts in his career, and he should be a perfectly serviceable option next to Lloyd.

Panthers’ Specialists

Aug 21, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers place kicker Ryan Fitzgerald (35) during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn ImagesMandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Kicker : Ryan Fitzgerald

Punter: Sam Martin

Long Snapper: J.J. Jansen

Punt Returner: Trevor Etienne

Kick Returner: Trevor Etienne

Nothing changes here. The Panthers never brought in competition at any of these spots.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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