​Which quarterback would you most want leading your team? If you trust the consensus at Pro Football Focus, you’d have to search through a lot of names before you reach Bryce Young. PFF released its annual quarterback rankings on Thursday, and among the NFL’s 32 starters, Young sits in the bottom half at No. 20.
Young remains one of the sport’s biggest enigmas. Including the postseason, he ranked 12th in big-time throws with 25, yet his 6.3 yards per attempt ranked 34th among 43 qualifying quarterbacks. He posted PFF passing grades above 78.0 in five games but graded below 52.0 in five others. His consistency will be a critical factor for Carolina’s success in 2026.
Non-PFF metrics tell a similar story. In 17 starts spanning the 2025 season and the postseason, Young threw for at least 200 yards in only five games. This level of production could influence lingering questions about a potential extension for the former No. 1 overall pick. After his fifth-year option was exercised this spring, he remains under contract with Carolina for 2026 and 2027, but the trajectory appears upward for Young and the Panthers, who just reached their first playoff berth since 2017 and their division title since 2015. In 2025, Young posted career highs in yards (3,011), touchdowns (23), and completion percentage (63.6%).
PFF also notes that Young’s willingness to attack downfield makes a significant difference for Carolina’s offense. The Panthers went 5-2 in the 2025 regular season when Young completed multiple passes traveling at least 20 air yards, compared with a 3-7 mark when he completed one or fewer. Building on downfield chemistry with Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan and the rest of the Panthers’ weapons will be crucial for their success this season.
In the latest rankings, Young sits between Denver’s Bo Nix (No. 19) and Minnesota’s Kyler Murray (No. 21). Follow @ThePanthersWire for more Panthers coverage. This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Where does Panthers’ Bryce Young stand in PFF’s QB rankings for 2026?