When it comes to the 2026 Carolina Panthers, owner David Tepper seems as bold as brass.
On Thursday morning, Tepper Sports & Entertainment announced two major milestones for Bank of America Stadium—one of which was the extension of their long-running naming rights deal for the venue. The deal was celebrated later that evening with a special "fireside chat" that featured NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan and Tepper.
The event was moderated by FOX Sports host Curt Menefee, who asked Tepper how he's feeling about his team heading into training camp. This was his response . . .
“How do you feel going into training camp?”
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) July 23, 2026
David Tepper: “Like we have a championship team.”#Panthers pic.twitter.com/uJfmWQj16S
Perhaps that
bold proclamation was just a tad tongue-in-cheek, but we can't blame Tepper for wanting it all. He got a taste of sweet success in 2025—where the Panthers, for the first time in his eight-year reign, clinched a postseason berth.
Tepper would then expand on his expectations for the 2026 campaign . . .
David Tepper: This year we’re a playoff team. pic.twitter.com/thj2IailU1
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) July 23, 2026
Albeit by a three-way tiebreaker at an 8-9 record, Tepper's Panthers won the NFC South to become a playoff team last season. They went on to show out in the wild-card round, nearly pulling off a bracket-busting upset of the Los Angeles Rams in Charlotte.
If Tepper's standard for this year is met, then Bank of America Stadium will once again be playing host to some extra football into mid-January.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers owner David Tepper makes bold statement about his team for 2026
