​If there’s a single NFL position that carries more pressure to perform than any other, it’s quarterback. That pressure intensifies when a player is the No. 1 overall pick or signs a blockbuster free-agent contract. The Carolina Panthers selected Bryce Young with the first pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, and while he has shown steady improvement, opinions remain divided. One national analyst has even put Young on bust watch as he heads into the 2026 season.
Bleacher Report recently highlighted one potential bust risk for every NFL team, and unfortunately, Young was the Panthers’ name on that list. The assessment suggests that although Young made some strides in the previous year, Carolina’s offense still ranked near the bottom in passing yards. With a tougher schedule on the horizon, the analyst argues that Young will need to demonstrate he can be a productive, high-volume passer when required, a feat the forecast doesn’t look promising to achieve given the schedule.
The Panthers won the NFC South last season with a sub-.500 record, a result familiar to a team that often faced a challenging rotation of opponents. Looking ahead to 2026, Carolina will contend with a first-place schedule that includes games against the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, and Seattle Seahawks. The increased level of competition could expose any lingering inconsistencies in Young’s game, potentially leading to further questions about his long-term trajectory if his performance regresses against division-leading teams.
Young’s path has not been without its bumps. He opened his career with some early-season struggles and even faced a benching during his second NFL year before regaining form. Nonetheless, when you compare him to a cohort of his contemporaries—Caleb Williams, C.J. Stroud, Trevor Lawrence—some of whom have already delivered eye-popping numbers, Young’s statistics to date still fall short of lofty expectations that come with the top pick status.
The relative cost of Young’s acquisition also colors the evaluation. To move up and select him, Carolina sacrificed two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and standout wide receiver DJ Moore in a deal with the Chicago Bears. That blockbuster trade underscores how high the stakes are for Young to justify the price the Panthers paid and the faith the organization placed in him as their franchise quarterback.
As the franchise looks toward the 2026 season, the question remains whether Young can translate early potential into sustained impact. If he can elevate his level of play and deliver consistent, high-quality performances against a more formidable slate of opponents, the expectations will adjust accordingly. However, if his production stalls or regresses as the competition intensifies, scrutiny will only intensify, and the Panthers could be drawn toward evaluating alternative options over the long term. The coming season will be critical in determining whether Bryce Young fulfills the promise that accompanied his high draft status or whether concerns about his ceiling will persist as the franchise plans its next steps.