Panthers defense receives more buzz ahead of 2026 season
· Yahoo Sports
While it never hurts to have a potent offense, defense still wins championships in the NFL. (Just ask the last two Super Bowl winners.)
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The Carolina Panthers are not in that conversation yet, but their defense has radically improved since 2024—when they allowed the most points, literally, of all-time.
Their big additions from this offseason are Pro Bowl linebacker Devin Lloyd, edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and second-round defensive tackle Lee Hunter—who should collectively bring the defensive front seven up to par with a secondary that's been their best unit for a few years.
According to Moe Moton at Bleacher Report, Carolina has one of the five most-improved defenses in the NFL in 2026. He finishes with this note about adding Hunter to the trench:
Carolina also added Hunter in the second round of the draft. At 6'3", 318 pounds, he can shoot gaps to make plays behind the line of scrimmage, especially on run downs. In four collegiate terms, the aggressive defensive tackle racked up 32 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. Derrick Brown and Hunter can be a game-wrecking duo on the interior of the defensive line.
Hunter could act as a force multiplier for Brown and the rest of the Panthers' defensive line. The 2025 first-team All-American notched 30 combined tackles (7.5 for a loss) and a forced fumble in his final season at Texas Tech.
Looking ahead, Carolina could still use some upgrades at inside linebacker over Trevin Wallace and at safety over Nick Scott. If the front office addresses those spots in one year's time, we may be talking about this as an elite unit.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers defense receives more buzz ahead of 2026 season