​Oct 4, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at Bank of America Stadium. © Jim Dedmon-Imagn ImagesWe’re all seated for the Bryce Young-enaissance. One month into the 2026-27 NFL season, the Carolina Panthers have put up some electric performances, making the rest of the league take notice.For the first time since the Cam Newton days, the Panthers have a high-powered offense that ranks among the league’s best. They have been putting up elite numbers, ranking fourth in points scored and fourth in yards gained. Young has been one of the NFL’s most improved players this season, playing with a new level of confidence.That jump has seen more than a few voices call for the 2023 #1 overall pick’s name to be considered in the MVP conversation. While Young has played well, Stephen A. Smith needs to see more from his team to put him in the MVP conversation.Panthers Must Continue Winning For Bryce Young To Be Considered in MVP ConversationYoung is the classic case of a player who needs time to develop and isn’t immediately NFL-ready. He took his lumps over the first two seasons of his career but improved in Year 3 and has seemingly taken another step forward this season.If the Panthers keep winning, that could vault Young into major award consideration.On “First Take,” however, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said he needs to see just a little more from this Carolina side to start having those conversations.“Carolina is gonna have to show me they can be better than a .500 football team, but when you start talking MVP, I need to see you a few games above .500. Is that too much to ask?” Smith said.While quarterbacks have had a stranglehold over the MVP award in what seems like forever, more often than not, it’s the quarterback of a 12+ win team who gets crowned the league’s most valuable player. Young has never won more than eight games in an NFL season and has a career record of 16-32.PREDICT THE NFL SEASON:PFN’s Free NFL Playoff PredictorThe Panthers currently sit at 2-2 and are coming off an impressive home win over the Detroit Lions. Playing in the NFC South gives them some buffer room, given the level of competition. The Panthers and Atlanta Falcons currently lead the division at 2-2, and it may take only 9 or 10 wins this season to clinch a playoff berth.SET YOUR LINEUPS:PFN’s Free Fantasy Start/Sit OptimizerThrough four weeks, Young leads the NFL in passing yards with 1,268. He is well on pace to pass his career high of 3,011, set last year. The same is true for passing touchdowns: he already has nine, and his career high is 23. His 79.0 PFN QB Impact Score currently ranks 11th in the league but is at the level of established stars such as Josh Allen (#7 in PFN QB Impact) and Joe Burrow (#13 in QB Impact).Much of the credit for Young’s development should go to head coach Dave Canales, who has helped transform the Panthers’ offense si