Carolina Panthers 2026 playoff mailbag: What to expect from this team and coaching staff now, and going forward.

Hello CSR! Welcome to Brian Answers, part two of your weekly Panthers fan mailbag for everyone! This may be the final mailbag for the Panthers 2025 season, and you all came firing with questions, so I will make it count! I have decided not to get into Bryce Young related questions once again, as I don’t think we’ll really know what direction the Panthers will go in until this chapter of their history is fully written. But the rest is fair game let’s dive right in!

Panthers75: Does Dave let it all hang out this weekend or does he play scared?

Dave Canales played the game quite aggressively the last time these two teams met, dialing up deep passes on 4th downs which resulted in touchdowns. The theme of the game was stealing extra possessions from an offense that could put points up in bunches, and I expect more of the same this week. Canales knows the Panthers are lucky to be here, and based on all indications from his press conferences and media sessions, I don’t expect the offense to be conservative. They’ll definitely try to establish the run game, sure, but I fully expect Canales to dial up everything he’s got in his arsenal on offense.

SnarkyComet: With this season being so crazy and unpredictable, does David Moore come in and lead the team in receiving yards on Saturday? The Rams will never see him coming.

As the guy who correctly guessed that Hunter Renfrow would be released in the off-season in favor of David Moore, these are the kinds of takes I really appreciate. David Moore could definitely factor in as a new variable for the game plan, but I wish I could take you up on this bet. I think Moore will be utilized more than people think on offense, but I would expect Jalen Coker to be the unexpected hero on offense once again if the Panthers somehow managed to pull this win off. But David Moore has an uncanny connection with Bryce Young, so it is always possible.

@WTMealey: 1. Will Cam be beating the Keep Pounding Drum and how will that affect the game?

2. We’re going from In the Hunt to Hunt is In. How big a difference does he make?

3. How will you spend game day? Does CSR staff ever get together to watch a game?

1. The Panthers social media team has all but outright confirmed Cam Newton will be beating the Keep Pounding drum. And if there’s any player whose aura and impact on Carolina’s history could turn the tides for this team’s chances, its Superman. I think Cam hitting that drum will have the entire arena going wild, which a loud crowd will always help the home team.
2. Robert Hunt playing in the game would be massive for the rushing attack. He’s still listed as questionable going into the game, but it seems he’s going to try to play. The right guard position has been by far the greatest weakness of the offensive line since suffering this injury. He may not be 100% and I certainly don’t expect him to play like it, but his presence should certainly help Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle run between the tackles.
3. I will most likely watch the game with my brother and his fellow football fans, though I won’t like it. I typically watch Panthers football games by myself, so as not to subject others to the misery that can come with. But they are all in on Keep Pounding, so I hope the Panthers can win one for me around people, instead of sitting in silent anger like I have many times this season when I’ve chosen to experience a Panthers game with other viewers present.

Bruce Guild: I thin we need all white uni with proceesed blue socks and silver helmet to win this thing. Since we are home team we get the choice I would think. What uni do you think it will be or more importantly what uni do you want?

Let’s go with all blue. Channel the 2015 Panthers Thanksgiving game, because I think the Panthers might need two pick sixes to win this one.

ericbuck: Can you tell us why Nick Scott should be considered the greatest Safety in Panthers franchise history?

Because he puts his head down and goes to work. Everyone knows he’s not a typical fit for the deep safety role but those were the cards he was dealt, and he’s started all 17 games, just like I predicted in the preseason in this column. But, the only way he can usurp Colin Jones is to play another 6 or so seasons in Carolina, which I would welcome.

Gamble20: Chandler Zavala has been designated to return from IR now also. Do we have more guys that could return in the absolute miracle scenario that we go on a run? Isn’t there a limit to how many we can call back in a season?

It seems like Zavala, David Moore, and Robert Hunt are the last of the reinforcements, at least for this game. The rules for the 2025 season allow for eight players to be designated to return from injured/reserve after the final 53 man roster cutdown. I don’t see anyone else they can bring back at this point however.

Galadhron: I know Ohio won the championship, our first game was against the Jags, and J-Lo got divorced again this year, but the real question is: Is it good or bad that MTV is not hosting the half-time show? Asking for a friend.

Its probably fine, I’m sure there’s plenty of other things that happened in that season that can’t happen now.

Revshawn: Why did the Panthers, in addition to all previous slights, have to input upon Hunter Renfrow the greatest insult of all by cutting him before the playoffs? Why do they risk God’s wrath at such a decisive moment? Do they believe in Satan?

I mean, I said in the off-season Hunter Renfrow would be cut for David Moore. I just didn’t expect it to happen twice, but you should have expected this.

Pound th’ Rock: Do we retain Ejiro Evero or does he leave for another DC job or HC job?

Its funny you mention this, because I was always under the impression this year that Ejiro Evero was not under contract for 2026 following this season. However, both Joe Person and Mike Kaye are alluding to that he’s actually still under contract. We haven’t received any official confirmation as of this writing, so that changes the answer.

I think he only leaves if he is fired (unlikely) or if he receives a head coaching job. I know many fans out there do not like him, but I personally think he’s done an excellent job with the pieces provided to him on defense, and if he’s not headed for greener pastures as a head coach, keeping him around and adding pieces to his arsenal will only make this defense better.

Truthshallsetyoufree: Why is the defense at the bottom of the league on 3rd down? Way to many times on 3rd downs we see the 2ndary giving 10 plus yard cushions allowing for easy conversions. Is it a situational awareness issue?

Other comments addressed the question as well, but the Panthers are playing bend-but-don’t-break defense largely as a result of the personnel they have to work with on defense. Its a conservative mindset, but when the pass rush is a weakness and the inside linebackers struggle in isolated coverage, you kind of have to just limit the big plays as much as possible. I’m hoping another year of adding defensive talent will allow Evero to be more diverse, but at the moment, with what they have, it makes sense. Make the offense play as many snaps as possible in the hopes they’ll make a mistake, as Greg Olsen so eloquently put it.

TXPanther: Brandt Tilis comes back from the Atlanta interview and says he will stay if Tepper gives him the GM title and final say over everything. You’re Tepper, do you give him that?

I don’t know if they would have to. The process is working (seemingly) based on how things are now. I think David Tepper can lure Tillis back by simply paying him enough to keep him here. But in this hypothetical scenario, that would be tough. Hopefully it doesn’t come to that.

Bull123: I think we have to be really active in free agency this as we have many positions that just have to get better…every team in the league always overpays…how active will we be?

I think the Panthers will be active in free agency, especially after a success of a season where they showed they can be competitive. I guess it really depends on if they decide to continue on with Bryce Young. If they end up spending a solid amount on bringing a QB for competition, they may not be so active.

KeepPounding88: I doubt this playoff game will affect our needs for the offseason (TE, S, QB , Edge, LB), so which do you expect us to address in Free Agency, and which will be saved for the draft?

I would definitely expect them to add an inside linebacker and some form of QB in free agency. Tight end and EDGE might be possible but it is hard to say until we see who actually hits the market. But the last two offseasons, the Panthers have tried to address as many needs as possible in some fashion or another in free agency to set them up to draft for talent instead of need. It hasn’t always worked, but I think the 2025 Offseason was the blue print going forward.

That’s all for this week, Panthers fans! If you’re attending the playoff game, make sure to ROCK that stadium. KEEP POUNDING!