{"id":259481,"date":"2025-12-18T16:00:38","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T21:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=259481"},"modified":"2025-12-18T13:39:39","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T18:39:39","slug":"panthers-2026-offseason-offensive-targets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/12\/18\/panthers-2026-offseason-offensive-targets\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Offensive Targets for the Carolina Panthers 2026 Offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Carolina Panthers<\/a> aren\u2019t one splash signing away from contention, <\/span>but they are a few smart, disciplined offseason decisions away from sustained success.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Carolina Panthers’ 2026 offseason will arrive shortly. When it does, Carolina will have <\/span>$29\u201340 million in salary cap space<\/a>.<\/b> This can be a rare opportunity for a franchise that has spent recent years chasing fixes instead of building foundations. The next phase of this rebuild will be defined not by headlines, but by restraint: protecting Bryce Young<\/a>, improving the tight end room, strengthening the offensive line, and preserving a physical, run-first identity.<\/span><\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t about chasing unrealistic stars or short-term buzz. It\u2019s about identifying players who fit Carolina\u2019s timeline, scheme, and financial reality, while giving measurable on-field value.<\/span><\/p>\n

These six Offensive targets represent that approach:<\/strong> practical, evidence-backed additions that could help turn the Panthers from a rebuilding team into a functional one.<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Isaiah Likely<\/a>, TE \u2013 Baltimore Ravens<\/a><\/b><\/h3>\n

Few positions have underperformed for Carolina as consistently as tight end, and Isaiah Likely would immediately raise the floor of the offense.<\/span><\/p>\n

Likely is a modern, move-style tight end who can align in-line, in the slot, or split wide. In 2025, even while playing behind Baltimore\u2019s Star Tight End Mark Andrews. Likely still produced <\/span>22 receptions for 248 yards<\/b>, averaging <\/span>11.3 yards per catch<\/b>. His ability to create chunk plays on limited volume highlights his efficiency and separation skills.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a Panthers offense that struggles to generate easy completions, Likely would give Bryce Young a reliable middle-of-the-field option who can turn short throws into meaningful gains. The middle of the field has been an area where the Panthers haven’t taken much advantage of this year. Using a flexible TE will relieve that issue and open things up more for the outside threats in the offense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Key Stats & Traits<\/b><\/p>\n