Non-QB MVP for Carolina Panthers May Not Be Who You Think

One of the Panthers’ prized offseason acquisitions could be primed for a big year. That could result in earning a notable individual honor from his teammates.

Jan 11, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips (50) looks on during warmups prior to an NFC Wild Card Round game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Carolina Panthers have one preseason game under their shoulder pads, a 33-30 triumph over the Arizona Cardinals in Canton, Ohio. Next up are the Buffalo Bills this Saturday evening at Orchard Park.

Meanwhile, the analysis and predictions for the 2026 NFL season continue to pour in regarding a variety of topics. For instance, Jared Dubin of CBS Sports looked at all 16 squads in the NFC, and chose a 2026 Most Valuable Player—with the stipulation that the individual not be the club’s quarterback. So sorry, Bryce Young.

Hence, when it came to Dave Canales’s reigning NFC South champions, Dubin’s selection was former Miami Dolphins’ first-round edge rusher Jaelan Phillips. He spent the second half of 2025 with the Philadelphia Eagles after being acquired by the Birds via trade. This offseason, the five-year pro joined Carolina via a massive four-year, $120 million deal this offseason.

Panthers paid a heavy price to sign edge rusher Jaelan Phillips

Where’s my Jaelan Phillips jerseys @Panthers (I need them in blue or white) pic.twitter.com/wE88T4vIyt

— Panthers Pulse (@PanthersPulze) June 21, 2026

“When healthy, Phillips has been very good both rushing the passer and stopping the run,” explained Dubin, “he’s heading into his physical prime at 27 years old. Carolina desperately needs someone to get after the quarterback after struggling to do so for the last several seasons…”

That would certainly be an understatement. Dating back to 2023, the Panthers have finished 27, 32, and 30 sacks, respectively. Do the math and that’s a total of 89 quarterback traps—the fewest in the league over that span.

Canales’s club certainly has its share of talent not playing the quarterback position that could vie for team MVP accolades. There are wide receivers Tetairoa McMillan (the 2025 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year) and Jalen Coker, defensive lineman Derrick Brown, new starting linebacker Devin Lloyd, and cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson. So what could Phillips do to be a difference maker in his first season with the franchise?

How could pass rusher Jaelan Phillips wind up as Carolina’s MVP in 2026?

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

He could start by finishing among the club’s top five tacklers while leading the team in sacks, finishing in double digits in that latter category. It’s worth noting that the last Panthers’ player to total at least 10 QB traps was Brian Burns (12.5) in 2022. Keep in mind that Phillips totaled a career-best 8.5 sacks during his rookie campaign, so getting to the quarterback 10-plus times would certainly be uncharted territory for the five-year pro.

Making those sacks count would also help. The last Panthers’ player to force more than two defensive fumbles in a single season was Burns (3) way back in 2020. Phillips has totaled only two forced fumbles in 65 total contests (including playoffs). And when it comes to takeaways, the still-young defender has picked off only one pass and recovered just five fumbles in five NFL campaigns.

Simply put, Carolina’s high-priced addition likely must come up with the best season of his career. If he does that, he may not only capture team MVP honors, the Panthers’ defense could very well be a Top 10 unit in the league.