​Some of the greatest athletes and competitors in history thrive on a chip on their shoulder. No matter how accomplished they become, they stay hungry by continually believing there’s still something left to prove. For the Carolina Panthers, there isn’t a shortage of players who still need to establish themselves in the NFL—even if they arrived in the league with lofty expectations as prospects. Here are four Panthers who have the most to prove in 2026.
We’ve seen elite flashes from Bryce Young several times, dating back to mid-2024 when he returned to the starting lineup after a benching. The challenge is that, between those standout games, there’s been a stretch of middling performances and disappointments from the former No. 1 overall pick. In 45 career starts, including the postseason, Young has thrown for at least 250 yards in only eight contests. His career averages of 180.2 passing yards per game and 6.0 yards per attempt will need a meaningful uptick if he is to reach his full potential. Young is undeniably clutch in late moments, but he must improve his early possessions and curb turnovers to maximize his chances of earning a contract befitting a franchise quarterback if he takes a substantial leap this season.
Chuba Hubbard entered 2024 playing so well that the Panthers handed him a four-year contract extension midway through the year. Unfortunately, a string of calf injuries has impeded his ascent since then. Last season, Hubbard’s explosiveness appeared to wane, and his production reflected that decline. If he cannot regain his previous form soon, it seems likely he could lose his starting role to Jonathon Brooks, who has been pushing for more opportunities.
Legette is entering his third NFL season and has clearly crossed into the realm of must-justify-his-draft-status territory. His rookie year showed brightness alongside some frustrating errors, but his performance deteriorated in 2025. In Carolina’s playoff push, Legette saw his playing time dwindle, finishing with a career-low 31.4 percent of offensive snaps in the decisive regular-season finale against the Buccaneers. If he doesn’t arrive at training camp markedly improved, his spot in the lineup could be overtaken by 2026 third-round pick Chris Brazzell II.
Devin Lloyd’s signing provided a much-needed lift to Carolina’s linebacker corps, yet the positional setup has its fragilities, like parking a high-performance vehicle under a deteriorating roof. At present, Wallace projects as the other starter alongside Lloyd, which places added pressure on him. His issues span several areas, including recognition and run defense, but the most pressing concern is his pass coverage. Wallace has yielded a career completion rate of 78.6 percent and a passer rating of 107.7 against him, indicating a critical area for improvement if he is to justify his role in a more demanding NFL environment.
In sum, these four players embody the mindset of contenders who still have a lot to prove in 2026. If they respond to the challenge—refining Young’s early-poise and turnover issues, restoring Hubbard’s burst, rekindling Legette’s consistency, and tightening Wallace’s coverage and overall awareness—the Panthers could turn potential into sustained performance.