The Carolina Panthers are noticeably absent from the major NFL rankings.

The NFL is a league built on high expectations, and the spotlight constantly shines on teams that perform well and generate buzz. For the Carolina Panthers, however, the 2025 season has been a sobering reminder of just how far they have fallen in the eyes of national pundits, analysts, and fans. Despite making moves to revamp their roster and coaching staff, the Panthers are noticeably absent from the major NFL rankings as they are left out of the top tiers of the league. This absence highlights the reality of their struggles—a far cry from the franchise’s brief peak in the early 2010s and their Super Bowl appearance in 2015.

What has caused the Panthers to slip from the ranks of playoff contenders to a team on the periphery of relevance? How did the once-promising franchise, which was once considered one of the most exciting in the NFL, find itself in such a challenging position? And perhaps most importantly, what will it take for the team to climb back into the conversation as one of the league’s top teams?

In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind the Panthers’ absence from the major NFL rankings, dissecting their struggles, internal issues, and missed opportunities. We’ll also take a look at potential strategies and moves the team could make in order to turn things around and eventually reassert themselves as a formidable force in the NFL.

The State of the Panthers: A Team in Transition

Before delving into the specifics of the Panthers’ absence from the NFL rankings, it’s important to understand the state of the franchise as it stands. The Carolina Panthers have spent much of the past decade in a state of flux, unable to build consistent success despite having some promising players and coaches. Several factors have contributed to the team’s downturn, including poor decisions at key positions, coaching changes, and, perhaps most critically, the lack of a clear identity.

1. Coaching Instability

One of the primary reasons the Panthers have failed to make an impact in the NFL rankings is their lack of stability at the coaching position. Since the departure of head coach Ron Rivera following the 2019 season, the Panthers have been unable to find a steady hand to lead them forward. Rivera was the most successful coach in franchise history, guiding the team to three NFC Championship appearances and one Super Bowl appearance, but his departure left the Panthers searching for a coach who could replicate his success.

Following Rivera’s exit, the Panthers hired Matt Rhule in 2020, a move that was widely regarded as a promising one. Rhule had a solid track record at Baylor University and had turned around struggling programs in college football. However, his tenure in Carolina proved to be a disappointment, as the Panthers never managed to reach the level of success expected. Rhule’s inability to develop quarterback Sam Darnold or solve the team’s defensive issues led to his firing after just two-and-a-half seasons.

The search for the next head coach was another crucial decision for the Panthers, and they hired Frank Reich in 2023, the former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Reich brought with him a wealth of experience and a reputation as a skilled offensive mind, but his first year was marked by significant growing pains. The Panthers were still in the midst of a rebuild, and Reich’s attempts to instill his system clashed with a roster that was still trying to find its footing. While Reich’s tenure is still in its infancy, the early results have been underwhelming, and the team has yet to establish a clear identity under his leadership.

2. Quarterback Struggles

Another major factor contributing to the Panthers’ absence from NFL rankings has been their inability to find a long-term solution at the quarterback position. Since the retirement of Cam Newton, the face of the franchise for nearly a decade, the Panthers have struggled to find consistent quarterback play.

In recent years, the Panthers have cycled through a series of quarterbacks, including Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and PJ Walker, but none of these players have been able to lead the team to sustained success. The failure to find a franchise quarterback has been a significant hindrance to the team’s ability to build a contender, and it’s one of the reasons they’ve been unable to rise in the rankings.

In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Panthers made the bold decision to trade up to the No. 1 overall pick and select Bryce Young, a highly touted quarterback out of Alabama. Young was seen as the future of the franchise, a potential star capable of leading the Panthers back to relevance. However, his rookie season has been inconsistent, and the team has struggled to provide him with the necessary support to succeed. As a result, the Panthers’ offense has struggled, further hindering their ability to climb the rankings.

The lack of stability at quarterback is a key reason the Panthers are not being taken seriously by the media and analysts, and it’s a gap that needs to be filled if they are to return to the upper echelons of the league.

Missed Opportunities and Poor Draft Decisions

The Panthers’ absence from the NFL rankings can also be traced to missed opportunities in both free agency and the draft. While some of their recent moves have been promising, such as trading up for Bryce Young, other decisions have left the team in a difficult position. These missed opportunities have hampered the Panthers’ ability to build a competitive roster.

1. Underperforming Draft Picks

The NFL Draft is an essential tool for teams to build long-term success, and the Panthers have made some questionable selections in recent years that have not panned out as hoped. In particular, some of the team’s higher-profile draft picks have not lived up to expectations, whether due to injuries, underperformance, or poor development.

For example, in 2021, the Panthers selected Jaycee Horn, a cornerback from South Carolina, with the eighth overall pick. While Horn showed promise in his rookie season, injuries have kept him off the field for significant stretches, preventing him from becoming the lockdown corner the Panthers envisioned when they selected him. Similarly, players like Daviyon Nixon and Terrace Marshall Jr. have not developed into the impact players the Panthers had hoped for, further stalling the team’s rebuilding efforts.

While the Panthers have made some good selections in recent years, such as Ikem Ekwonu (offensive tackle) and Derrick Brown (defensive tackle), the lack of development from certain key players has created a situation where the team is relying too heavily on their draft hits, and their misses have been damaging.

2. Free Agent Struggles

Along with poor draft selections, the Panthers have also struggled in free agency, failing to secure high-impact players who can immediately elevate the roster. In some cases, the Panthers have spent significant money on players who have not produced at the expected level, leaving the team with financial constraints and gaps on their roster.

For example, in 2020, the Panthers signed Robbie Anderson to a lucrative contract extension, expecting him to be a top receiving threat. However, Anderson’s performance fell short of expectations, and he was eventually traded away, marking another example of free agent spending that did not provide the desired return on investment.

The Panthers have also struggled to address critical areas, such as their offensive line, in free agency. The inability to consistently upgrade these positions has left the team with a roster that is difficult to evaluate in a competitive context. Even with the emergence of DJ Moore as a top receiver, the Panthers have lacked the offensive weapons to truly contend with some of the higher-ranking teams in the league.

The Road to Recovery: What Needs to Change?

So, what must change for the Carolina Panthers to climb back into the rankings and return to competitive prominence? While the team has faced significant setbacks, there are several paths forward that could help the Panthers rebuild and ultimately contend for championships.

1. Developing Bryce Young

The most important factor in the Panthers’ recovery is the development of Bryce Young. Despite a difficult rookie season, Young still possesses tremendous potential. The Panthers need to build around him, providing him with more weapons, improving the offensive line, and giving him the opportunity to develop without the pressure of needing to win immediately. A successful Bryce Young will be the cornerstone of the Panthers’ future success, and the team must prioritize his development above all else.

2. Improving the Offensive Line

The Panthers must continue to focus on building a strong offensive line to protect Young and create running lanes for their backfield. This has been one of the biggest challenges for the team, and it will remain a key priority if they want to compete with top-tier teams. By using both free agency and the draft to acquire more talent in the trenches, the Panthers can take a huge step toward turning their offense into a more efficient and dynamic unit.

3. Defensive Rebuild

The Panthers’ defense has been their strength in recent years, and it remains a solid foundation. However, the team must continue to build depth, particularly in the secondary and at linebacker, to ensure they have the pieces to compete with high-powered offenses. The addition of another playmaker on defense could solidify the unit and help the Panthers compete in the NFC South.

4. Strategic Free Agency Moves

The Panthers need to be smarter in free agency, focusing on high-impact players who fill specific needs on the roster. Instead of making flashy signings that don’t pay off, they should target players who fit their system and provide immediate contributions. If the Panthers can make wise, targeted acquisitions, they could add the necessary pieces to make a playoff push.