Panthers named offseason champions for 2026

The Carolina Panthers are still a ways away from capturing the first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history. But their work over the past few months, which has earned them a small (and unofficial) "accolade," may help them finally get there.

Pro Football Focus, in a recent Twitter/X post, has tabbed the Panthers as the offseason champions for 2026. The site holds their offseason activity in high regard, giving them an 'A-' grade for free agency and an 'A+' for the NFL draft.

General manager Dan Morgan and his front office began the legwork behind their NFC South title defense by reeling in two of the league's very top free agents—pass rusher Jaelan Phillips and Pro Bowl linebacker Devin Lloyd. Carolina would later add the top left tackle of the open market, Rasheed Walker, on a stunningly team-friendly one-year, $4 million pact.

Their focus on the blindside continued into the draft, where they grabbed Georgia's Monroe Freeling—the top true left tackle prospect—with this year's 19th overall selection. Here's what PFF had to say about their first-round choice:

Freeling is still a young tackle prospect with untapped potential, but he showed clear signs of improvement as a pass protector from 2024 (65.3 PFF grade) to 2025 (86.1). This provides Carolina with another starting option at left tackle, with coming off a major late-season injury.