Major Takeaways from Carolina Panthers' Enormous Preseason Win vs. Jaguars

Preseason games don't matter, and they certainly don't matter when teams use their starters versus backups. A lot of Carolina Panthers starters played, while plenty of Jacksonville Jaguars did not. Still, positive reps are positive reps, and negative reps are negative. Here's what we learned.

There's still no protection

The Panthers opened up with a much better first drive, but it ended the same: with a punt. The reason? Pressure on every single passing play. Bryce Young avoided a couple of sacks with some nice movement, otherwise it would have been a truly ugly series once again. That has to get cleaned up.

Bryce Young looked much more comfortable

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) calls an audible during the first quarter | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Ironically, despite poor pass protection again, Bryce Young looked quite comfortable out there. He navigated the pocket really well to avoid the pressure, and his chemistry with the receivers was very solid. It was a very solid performance for the fourth-year QB, an encouraging sign after a lackluster preseason debut last week. He and Tetairoa McMillan picked up right where they left off in joint practice.

Secondary still needs some work

Travis Hunter, Trevor Lawrence, and other Jaguars starters didn't play, but some of the same secondary issues still cropped up. The zone scheme left some players wide open again, and even when they were covered, the Panthers struggled to make plays on the ball with their top defenders, most notably Mike Jackson, who has not had a great preseason. C.J. Williams gave the Panthers fits.

Princely Umanmielen might deserve to start

Princely Umanmielen made a great case to start last week opposite Jaelan Phillips. This week, without Phillips, he was a pest in the backfield once again. Pat Jones got a sack early on, but Umanmielen had multiple pressures and looked to be just as unblockable. He really might force the Panthers to put him on the field early and often this year.

Jimmy Horn Jr. should make the team

I don’t think Jimmy Horn Jr. should be considered to be in a #Panthers roster battle with John Metchie, David Moore and/or Brycen Tremayne anymore

Return value. WR value. Run blocking on the AJD tuddy. Hell, he was lead block on the kick return right before halftime.
— Ricky Raines (@rickyboboddy) August 22, 2026

What are the Panthers going to do with the final few WRs? Jimmy Horn Jr. is making his claim to be on the roster. He hasn't been exceptional as a receiver, but he's been very solid on special teams. That continued today, and he had a really good run on a trick play, which could be his role as it was last year.

The Panthers have a running back conundrum

Carolina Panthers running back AJ Dillon (28) points to the photographer while exiting the field after a joint practice | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Panthers have a difficult decision on their hands. If we assume they're keeping three running backs, things are going to be tough. Trevor Etienne is good on special teams and as a receiver, but AJ Dillon has been very good this preseason, driving through contact and creating extra yards. It's going to comw down to the wire between those two behind Jonathon Brooks and Chuba Hubbard.

Turnovers

One of the things that kept a mediocre defense afloat last year an opportunistic streak. They forced a lot of turnovers. This year, they have the talent to survive without that, but it would still be good. In tonight's game, they forced two turnovers, the first two of the preseason. Chau Smith-Wade intercepted a pass and Cam Gill recovered a fumble forced by DeVonta Smith.

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