The Carolina Panthers are looking to defend their NFC South championship this season. Not many in the media are tipping them to repeat, but All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons disagrees.
When giving his projections for the upcoming campaign as he works his way back from a torn ACL, Parsons picked the Panthers to secure a division triumph for the second straight year.
It won't be easy by any stretch. However, Parsons' bold prediction suggests that people around the league view Carolina's ascent as a potential playoff challenger very differently from fans and analysts.
"I think this is going to be one of the harder teams to beat. If they can stay healthy, this is going to be a tough team to beat."
Let's hope he's right.
Micah Parsons believes Carolina Panthers can win the NFC South, and he's right
The Panthers have improved their roster. General manager Dan Morgan splashed the cash on edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and second-team All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd. He made some shrewd additions during the 2026 NFL Draft, including offensive tackle Monroe Freeling and nose tackle Lee Hunter, who'll be important cover for injuries right out of the gate.
Missing some influential figures to start the season — in some cases, for the entire campaign — is something the Panthers will just have to live with. But overall, they have more than enough talent to be competitive.
Still, everything has to go right.
Micah Parsons predicts the Falcons will come last in the NFC South
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Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik has to hit the ground running as a play-caller. The revamped offensive line, with three new starters, must come together as a cohesive unit immediately. The defense must continue to make encouraging strides, and quarterback Bryce Young must prove beyond all doubt that he can become the franchise player Carolina needs for the long term.
If all those pieces come into place, the Panthers could win the NFC South again.
If even one of these equations falters, complications will emerge.
Carolina Panthers' hopes are still precarious, and everything must go right
Head coach Dave Canales knows what's at stake. Team owner David Tepper has already declared his desire for the first winning season of his tenure, and others in positions of power share that ambition. And with every team in the division facing concerns that must be alleviated, they will never get a better opportunity.
A strong start is crucial.
They have a chance to leave their first four games with positive momentum. Things will get tougher after that, but this is what happens with a first-place schedule and a large bullseye on their back.
After languishing among the also-rans for years, there are worse problems for the Panthers to have. And the team's long-suffering supporters are relishing being the hunted, not the hunter, for once.
Everything is in place to take the next step. Confidence is high, and even though it could just as easily go the other way, fans are bullish on their chances of making last season's playoff return the start of a profitable era.
Parsons agrees. And he knows a little bit about the game of football.
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