This is the third consecutive year Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young has emerged from the draft as a winner.
Carolina Panthers insider Joseph Person of The Athletic believes Bryce Young emerged from the 2026 draft as a winner.
Here is why.
"This is the third consecutive year Young has emerged from the draft as a winner on this list, coinciding with Dan Morgan's decision to take a wide receiver for the third year in a row," Person wrote. "It wasn't a first-round pick this year, nor was it a yards-after-catch receiver the Panthers were believed to be looking for. Still, third-round pick Chris Brazzell gives Young and the offense something it lacked: A big vertical threat who can fly. Brazzell's ability to come down with deep balls should mesh will Young's touch on long throws. In addition to Brazzell, Morgan selected two offensive linemen for the first time in his three drafts, and left tackle Monroe Freeling and center Sam Hecht could be protecting Young for quite a while."
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.
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, he will likely get an extension next offseason.
NFL analyst Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report believes Young will have a "breakout" 2026 season.
"Three years into his career, Young has lost over twice as many starts as he's won," Davenport wrote. "He barely cleared 3,000 passing yards last season. And his career passer rating of 80.9 would have ranked 32nd in the league in 2025. With all that said, Young also heads into the 2026 campaign with the best team around him of his career, whether it's the skill-position talent or the offensive line in front of him.
"Familiarity with the offense. Better passing game targets. Improved blocking. Everything Young needs to take that next step is there. And he has hundreds of millions of reasons to take it."
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