"The NFC South hasn't had a Super Bowl contender since the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers made back-to-back appearances in the 2015-16 seasons. The division hasn't produced a double-digit regular-season winner in three of the past four seasons, with the Panthers limping to a wild-card berth after the Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints in the 2025 regular-season finale, eliminating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from the playoffs."
"But after four years of divisional mediocrity, there's finally reason for hope as the offseason approaches and with it free agency and the 2026 NFL draft. All four teams have promising rookies, including potential rookie of the year candidates such as Saints quarterback Tyler Shough and Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, while Falcons defensive end James Pearce Jr. and Buccaneers wideout Emeka Egbuka also drew early recognition for that award."
"The Panthers will lean on McMillan to help quarterback Bryce Young rise above a bad first two seasons (he won six games as a starter). McMillan gives Young a legitimate No. 1 receiver that 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette wasn't able to be -- and might never be. McMillan is a bona fide superstar in the making, following in the footsteps of other elite rookie receivers such as Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase and Tampa Bay's Mike Evans, who each topped 1,000 yards receiving in their first seasons."
The NFC South has lacked a Super Bowl contender since the 2015-16 Falcons and Panthers and has produced few strong regular-season records recently. The division failed to produce a double-digit winner in three of the past four seasons, with the Panthers reaching the wild-card after the Falcons' 2025 finale win eliminated the Buccaneers. The 2026 offseason, free agency and draft present renewed optimism as all four teams field promising rookies. Potential rookie-of-the-year candidates include Saints QB Tyler Shough, Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan, Falcons DE James Pearce Jr., and Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka. McMillan could provide Bryce Young a true No. 1 and elevate Carolina's profile.
Read at ESPN.com
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