Hello CSR! Welcome to Brian Answers, part two of your weekly Panthers fan mailbag for everyone! We’re coming off the NFL schedule release, so many of our questions were around the Panthers potential win/loss record in 2026. Let’s dive right into your questions!
@WTMealey: Hit we with your projection for target % for our WRs TEs and RBs
I’m thinking WR counts for 65-70% of the target share since Carolina. Probably closer to 65%. I’d give an even split to TEs and RBs with 17.5% between them. The tight
end room didn’t really change a whole lot, so I don’t see many 5+ reception games for any one player there. At RB, Jonathon Brooks and Trevor Etienne should get a decent amount of receiver work. But I would expect most passing plays to be designed to go to a wide receiver.
Robholland211: With the schedule releasing this week, how many prime time games do you anticipate the panthers having the season?
They ended up with 3, which was more than I anticipated. I don’t like early prime time games for the Panthers, which they have one against the Lions in week 4. That could be the classic, deflating night game performance we’ve all come to expect from the team early on in past seasons.
Charlsong1: How important is strength of schedule ratings in May? If we go undefeated, at the end of the season people will say we went undefeated because we had an easy schedule because, obviously, our opponents will have 17 losses just from playing us.
I’ve never really paid attention to the strength of schedule this far off from the regular season. There’s so many variables that will impact the final strength of schedule when we’re looking back (hopefully not with disappointment) in the 2027 offseason, like injuries and coaching firings that can impact things. Its certainly worth discussing now, and the Panthers current schedule looks daunting. But anything other than purely trying to predict a win total doesn’t have much stock right now.
Good_Ol_Boy: If you could change the team’s colors, would you? If so, what new color scheme would you use?
Yellow, Red, and Green. I like my football team like I like my hot dogs; covered in condiments.
donski13: Given what we know about the Brendan Sorsby situation and varied opinions if Bryce is truly the guy. If he ends up entering the supplemental draft, would you take a shot on him, and what round pick are you willing to spend on him.
Personally? I would. Maybe a 5th round pick. Even though I don’t necessarily like the media circus his selection would bring along with it. Realistically? I see no chance Carolina makes that decision.
schrondingersblackcat: Brian, what are you watching in this, the slowest part of the NFL cycle? Sports, streaming, movies, whatever’s been floating your boat. Looking for some fresh recs.
Just watched the Punisher movie special last night and thought it was absolutely perfect. I would also recommend the Dexter Resurrection show for any forlorn Dexter fans that were miffed by the original series ending. Beyond that, I end up watching a lot of reruns of things. Because I’m lame.
positivebob: Who will be this years training camp phenom? The fan fave everyone is convinced is the next big thing. This years’ JHJ. I’ll go with the Smith brothers, Ainias and Devonta. They got a shot, a long one, probably good PS candidates, but I’ll bet they look great in camp. Ainias has return potential, need an upgrade there, and Devonta can push Smith-Wade for his spot.
Honestly, Will Lee at CB is the guy I would peg as the next big hype machine. I know, he probably doesn’t fit the criteria of what you described as far as practice squad candidates, but I expect him to be duking it out with the Panthers top receivers as a man coverage specialist in camp. He’ll probably generate a lot of buzz during one on one drills as a result.
My next candidate, probably closer to what you asked, is WR Kobe Prentice. Former Alabama and Baylor wide receiver with 4.3ish speed in the 40 yard dash. He might blow by a few DBs in practice.
DannyLimes: Now that we know how difficult the schedule is next year, realistically – how long will it take us to get to ten wins?
I’d say by the end of the 2026 season. I’m a believer.
SnarkyComet: Now that we know that David Newton at ESPN is retiring, which writer at CSR is going to replace him?
We all really appreciate the kudos but I think they’ll hire someone within the Disney blanket. We’re all very happy with our roles at CSR!
RealityDan: So if FanDuel is that confident the Panthers are winning less than 8 games and finishing dead last in the NFC South, what’s the max bet limit I can make? And what charities should I begin giving to in 2027?
I’ve made it a (personal) point not to bet on or against the Panthers. They tend to do the opposite of what I believe.
That’s all for this week, Panthers fans! Join us next week for another edition of the weekly fan mailbag!
