The Panthers have one of the league's hardest schedules, but there are a couple of small benefits.

While the competition on their schedule is among the toughest, the Panthers may be able to rest easy in 2026. Here's why . . .

Luck was on the Carolina Panthers’ side in 2025. Even though Bryce Young and co. went 8-9 and lost in Week 18 to their division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the scrappy team advanced to the postseason.

For the first time since 2017, the Carolina Panthers made the NFL playoffs. Still, they finished with a losing record at 8-9 but won the division. Plenty in Carolina still feel as if there is room for improvement going into 2026.

The Panthers had a late bye week in 2025. In fact, the latest. Week 14. That was fine and certainly better than an early bye week, but they still had to play 13 games before getting a break. The bye week is best when it truly breaks up the season.

Carolina is scheduled to travel an NFL-low 8,740 air miles in 2026, over 30,000 fewer miles than the San Francisco 49ers.

The NFL has unveiled the full 2026 regular season schedule. While everyone immediately leaps into all of those upcoming matchups, the release of the preseason schedule (which also came out on Thursday) oftentimes falls under the radar.