Panthers owner David Tepper: We are a playoff team this year - NBC Sports

What the report says

NBCSports.com’s Pro Football Talk reported that Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper publicly set a high expectation for the 2026 season, saying the franchise should be considered a playoff-caliber team. The remarks came during an event tied to the extension of the naming-rights agreement for Bank of America Stadium and ongoing renovation work at the venue.

According to the report, Tepper was asked what a championship team looks like and pointed to the current Panthers roster and organization. He contrasted his view of the team entering last season with his outlook now, saying that a year ago Carolina was more of a team capable of reaching the postseason, while this year he sees it as already belonging in that category.

The article noted that Carolina won the NFC South last season and improved its win total by three games from the prior year. It also framed Tepper’s confidence around the continued development of the team under head coach Dave Canales, who is entering his third season in charge.

NBCSports.com did not report that Tepper issued a formal mandate for the season. Still, the owner’s comments raise the stakes around Carolina’s 2026 campaign: if the Panthers fail to return to the playoffs or contend near the top of the NFC, the gap between ownership’s expectations and the team’s results could become a major storyline.