​In theory, the Carolina Panthers should push forward in the 2026 NFL season, building on the progress they’ve shown and counting on continued development from fourth-year starting quarterback Bryce Young, as well as improvements along the defensive front seven. Yet there is no certitude that Young will elevate his game once more. If he stalls, Carolina’s playoff dreams could crumble beneath the weight of a far tougher schedule than the squad faced in 2025.
Some analysts see that exact scenario unfolding. Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton has guesstimated that Young could emerge as the Panthers’ biggest bust in 2026. He argues that Young will need to demonstrate he can function effectively as a high-volume passer when the situation demands it, a task he believes is unlikely given the upcoming schedule. The Panthers won the NFC South last year with a sub-.500 mark on a third-place slate; in 2026 they will contend with a first-place calendar featuring games against the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, and Seattle Seahawks. With more division-leading teams on the docket, Young could face a tougher road and possibly regress as the competition intensifies.
We have glimpsed moments of elite potential from Young in recent seasons. As a rookie, he delivered a sharp performance in a narrowly contested defeat to the Green Bay Packers. After a mid-season benching in his second year, he rebounded, posting at least a 100 passer rating in the final three games of 2024. Last year, Young turned in standout showings against the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, and Los Angeles Rams, and he delivered two strong performances versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He closed the 2025 season with career highs in multiple categories and helped guide the Panthers to their first division title since 2015.
Of course, there were also stretches in 2025 when Young struggled, recording 12 games with 200 passing yards or fewer and eight contests where his quarterback rating dipped below 50. The evidence shows he is capable of playing at a high level in flashes, but the challenge now is for him to sustain that excellence. To take the next step, he will need to raise his floor and prove he can consistently perform at a high level, even on days when defenses are stacked against him.
For more Panthers coverage and insights, follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X. This analysis originally appeared on Panthers Wire: NFL analyst forecasts a challenging 2026 season for Panthers quarterback Bryce Young.