Dan Morgan knows his ambitious project to turn the Carolina Panthers around is further along than expected after two seasons. Although the general manager is a more methodical roster builder than his predecessors, there could be a little extra room to get bold in pursuit of making the strides needed in 2026.
And there may be a window of opportunity in the immediate future that Morgan would be wise to keep tabs on.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, like the Panthers, made the playoffs by winning the division. But unlike Carolina, Mike Tomlin's squad completely capitulated at home to the Houston Texans, extending its dismal playoff record in the process.