Mark Twain said that there are lies, damn lies and statistics. A lot of the time that’s true, especially when it comes to unemployment numbers and yards per pass attempt.
But sometimes, a number can tell a compelling and truthful story about where an NFL team is and where they’re going.
In the case of the Carolina Panthers, Matt Okada at NFL.com chose their 26.2-percent pressure rate from 2025 as the defining number for their 2026 season. Okada writes:
Carolina took a broad step forward in 2025, but still suffered from one glaring weakness: a 26.2% quarterback pressure rate that ranked dead last in the NFL. To address the issue, the Panthers signed Jaelan Phillips (63 pressures in 2025) and Devin Lloyd, whose 16 pressures from middle linebacker alignment were tied for most in the league last season. Alongside Derrick Brown and Nic Scourton, this upgraded Panthers pass rush could dictate their chances at a playoff berth.
For what it’s worth, the Pro Football Focus grades agree—as Carolina graded out at 60.4 in pass rushing last year. Only the Miami Dolphins finished lower. PFF’s grades are admittedly subjective, though.
While sacks can also be a misleading number, they are no kinder to the Panthers. They finished with just 30 last year, tied with the Baltimore Ravens for the third-fewest in the NFL.
In 2024 they were no better in this department, ranking 29th with 34 sacks. The year before they finished dead last with just 27—down from 35 sacks in 2022, when they ranked 25th.
The point is that one stat can tell lie. But if they all tell the same story year after year, then there’s something to it.
This has been a problem for Carolina’s defense for too long—and until they find a real solution, it will continue to keep a low lid on how high this team can rise. So it’ll be up to the likes of Brown, Phillips and Scourton—among others—to push that lid upwards.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers’ pressure rate named their defining number for 2026
