Jon Gruden Showers Panthers QB Bryce Young With Strong Praise

Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden showered Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young with strong praise. 

Gruden believes Young is playing like an MVP.

“I think Bryce Young deserves a lot of credit. If you want to pick the top 2 or 3 players in the NFL in the first of the month of the season, Bryce Young is one of them," Gruden said on Wake Up Barstool.

Young is putting up incredible numbers for the Panthers, who are 2-2. The Alabama product has 1,268 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, two interceptions, 19 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. 

According to Next Gen Stats, Young has 411 pass yards under pressure, four passing touchdowns under pressure, 321 deep passing yards, seven passing touchdowns outside the numbers, 534 passing yards outside the numbers, 928 passing yards vs. zone coverage and 340 passing yards vs. man coverage.

The Panthers lost to the Chicago Bears in Week 1, beat the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2, lost to the Cleveland Browns in Week 3 and beat the Detroit Lions in Week 4 on Sunday Night Football. 

Young is making $12.1 million this season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. His fifth-year option is worth a guaranteed $25.9 million. It was picked up by Carolina in the offseason.

The Panthers didn't sign Young to an extension, so the QB has to play well again this season to get paid next offseason, and thus far, Young is setting himself up for a major payday. 

Young led the Panthers to the playoffs last season, where Carolina lost to the Los Angeles Rams at home in the wild-card round. It's been remarkable to watch Young's turnaround in Carolina. Remember, Young was benched for Andy Dalton in 2024. When that happened, many people thought Young's days in Carolina were over. 

The Panthers are now on their bye week. They can rest and recover. The next time we see Young will be on October 18 against the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Carolina won the NFC South last season. Young and Co. are currently tied with the Falcons for first place in the division. 

One reason Young is putting up stellar numbers is that he has Tetairoa McMillan. The 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year has 26 catches for 385 yards and two touchdowns in four games. 

Against the Lions, McMillan had 14 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns. 

Thanks to his performance in Week 4, McMillan is on pace to shatter the 70-catch, 1,014-yard performance from last season.