A handful of writers at The Athletic think the Panthers will be the best surprise team of 2026.

Stephon Gilmore was such a good and highly respected cornerback that he made the Pro Bowl in a season in which he played in just eight games for the Carolina Panthers. That was the last Pro Bowl honor of a superb career,

Lee was a fourth-round pick (No. 129 overall) by the Panthers in the 2026 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M, after previously playing at Iowa Western and Kansas State. The 23-year old corner is listed at 6-foot-1. He made 50 tackles, including two sacks, in his final college season, as well as defensing eight passes.

The Chicago Bears made history in a 59-point Week 1 explosion against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.

A poll of NFC execs has the Panthers outside the NFC's top 10 teams.

With 96 combined points, the Bears and Panthers shattered the previous mark for an opener — the 88 points posted in a 48-40 Tampa Bay win over New Orleans in 2018. The Bears set a franchise record for points in an opener, besting a 45-7 win over the Packers in 1948.

The Carolina Panthers brought this talented pass catcher into the NFL. He's now making a difference in the AFC East.

Let’s take a closer look at one of the prospects the Panthers could select in the 2027 NFL Draft.