Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is being viewed more favorably then C.J. Stroud for a change.
Back in 2023, just about everyone was under the impression that the Carolina Panthers selected the wrong quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick of the NFL Draft.
Bryce Young endured a subpar rookie campaign while Houston Texans signal-caller C.J. Stroud — who was taken second overall — put together one of the best debut seasons we had ever seen.
Fast forward to 2026, though, and a whole lot has changed.
No, Young still isn't a clear-cut franchise quarterback, but now, the court of public opinion has largely shifted — or at least evened out — when it comes to the Young-Stroud debate.
While Young has shown gradual improvement the last two seasons, Stroud has taken steps backward, so much so that some are wondering if the Texans could potentially move on from the Ohio State product before the end of his rookie contract.
In fact, Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport recently pieced together a list of the 10 worst quarterback situations in football, and Houston made the list. The Panthers, though, were nowhere to be seen.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young with Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images.It certainly represents a stark change for Carolina, which has been staunchly criticized for trading a treasure trove of assets to the Chicago Bears in exchange for the top draft pick three years ago.
Young threw for 3,011 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while completing 63.6 percent of his passes and posting an 87.8 passer rating in 2025, leading the Panthers to an NFC South division title.
Don't get it twisted: the 24-year-old still has plenty of work to do, but he has shown enough for Carolina to exercise his fifth-year option for 2027, and there is no question that he has gotten better since his forgettable rookie season.
The Panthers need to continue building around Young to try and get the most out of the Wynnewood, Pa. native, and it seems rather likely that they will add another weapon for him in the early stages of the NFL Draft later this month.
Young is not yet set in stone as Carolina's quarterback of the future, but he is certainly in a much better position now than he was a couple of years ago.
Stroud, on the other hand, seems to be going backward.
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