NFL Analyst Reveals 'Main Obstacle' Facing Panthers' Bryce Young Next Season

NFL analyst Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report believes "a lack of continuity" is the main obstacle facing Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young next season. 

"The league's seventh-lowest-rated qualified passer from 2025 is dealing with a significantly retooled offensive line ahead of a critical fourth season that could determine his future as an NFL starter," Gagnon wrote. 

Young is set to make $12.1 million next season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. His fifth-year option is worth a guaranteed $25.9 million.

The Panthers made the playoffs last season after winning the NFC South. Young and Co. lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round at home. 

Young finished the 2025 season with 3,011 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 216 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He led the Panthers to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 campaign.

The first overall pick in the 2023 draft, Young enters next season with 8,291 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns, 30 interceptions, 718 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in a Carolina uniform. He's 14-30-0 as a starter.

Young is not messing around this year. The gunslinger called out his teammates on Tuesday after his receivers dropped several wet footballs at OTAs.

"It isn't raining anymore," Young could be heard shouting at his teammates. "Let's clean this up now. It's not raining anymore. We need better execution."

Young is making it a point to be a more vocal leader in Year 4 and Panthers head coach Dave Canales loves it. 

"I heard him get a little bit passionate," Canales said. "We had a monsoon here for a second at practice. Once the rain had passed, he was like, 'Hey, let's lock back in. We have to come up with these balls.' I think he said it with a little more colorful language than that, but I love it. I love the fact that he's taking ownership and the guys see that and rally around that. I think it's something they all appreciate."

Most people who cover the NFL don't expect the Panthers to sign Young to an extension this offseason since the Alabama product has been too inconsistent. If Young plays well next season, though, he will likely get an extension next offseason.

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