Cat Scratch Reader Reacts Survey: Is 3-1 real?

CANTON, OHIO - AUGUST 06: Head coach Dave Canales of the Carolina Panthers looks on during the first quarter of the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game against the Arizona Cardinals at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on August 06, 2026 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

With the benefit of an extra game thanks to the Hall of Fame game, the Carolina Panthers had the second best record in the NFC at 3-1. They were second only to the 3-0 Los Angeles Rams. While most folks discount preseason records as largely meaningless, most folks are also already crowning the Rams as Super Bowl Champions. I see no reason why we can't go ahead and pencil the Panthers in as the #2 seed in the NFC for the 2026 playoffs. Right?

All joking aside, this was the strongest performance the Panthers have had in a preseason since their ill-fated 2018 season. That shows how much the roster has recently recovered after years of mismanagement by former head coach and general manager combos. The Carolina Panthers may actually employ NFL-level talent. Huzzah.

That's all well and good, but it doesn't necessarily change the fact that the Panthers have been notorious for slow starts to their seasons under the leadership of head coach Dave Canales and quarterback Bryce Young. Who is responsible and why that has happened at all is a complicated question without a simple answer. A deep roster, while hugely important, does not mean that the starters are going to be ready for Week 1. The limited action we saw from those starters in this preseason did not inspire a lot of confidence that 2026 was going to be a brand new year for the Panthers.

A mixed bag is about par for the course for us. Which brings us to this week's Reacts survey question. Did the Panthers preseason performance make you more optimistic, more pessimistic, or not change your feelings at all regarding the 2026 season?

Vote in the poll and then head on down to the comments to defend your vote. We'll see you there.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Panthers fans and fans across the country.

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