The Carolina Panthers have improved on defense so much that they’re starting to get some actual buzz from the national media.
This offseason, it’s become a common refrain for some analysts—including The Athletic‘s Ted Nguyen and ESPN’s Mina Kimes—to predict that the Panthers will even have a top-10 scoring defense in 2026. One person, though, is going even further.
In a recent episode of NFL Live, ESPN commentator and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky forecasted that the Panthers could even have a top-five defense. Take a listen . . .
Top five defense? 👀 pic.twitter.com/mErYxQ6iSR
— Michael Bell (@avl_mike) July 14, 2026
That would be quite an improvement from 2025, when they finished 16th en route to the franchise’s first division title in a decade. And that’d be a near-miracle when looking back to 2024, when Carolina ranked 32nd and allowed the most points in league history.
As good as they look on paper—thanks to the free-agent additions of Pro Bowl linebacker Devin Lloyd and pass rusher Jaelan Phillips—the Panthers still have a few holes to fill on this side of the ball. If they could find upgrades over Trevin Wallace at linebacker and Nick Scott at safety, then we definitely wouldn’t rule out a top-five finish.
But those are two big ifs—and for now, the organization doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to replace either one.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Former NFL QB lays out a wild forecast for Panthers defense in 2026
