This would be wild.
The Carolina Panthers have been predicted to do something wild next season.
NFL analyst Moe Moton of Bleacher Report has predicted that the Panthers will bench Bryce Young midseason and trade for San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones.
"If Young regresses, the Panthers may try to pivot at quarterback midseason to make it back to the playoffs in a winnable division that didn't have a team above .500 last year. In that predicament, they shouldn't turn to Kenny Pickett or Will Grier. Neither has had much success on the pro level. If Young isn't the guy, the Panthers should pursue San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones," Moton wrote.
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.
However, Carolina is not expected to sign Young to an extension before the 2026 season begins.
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 only 14-30-0 as a starter.
"Jones is three years older than Young, but he's shown the ability to perform at a high level with two different teams—the New England Patriots in his 2021 rookie year and the 49ers last season," Moton wrote.
Jones appeared in 11 games for the 49ers last season. He put up 2,151 passing yards and 13 passing touchdowns while going 5-3.
Jones was the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He spent the first three years of his career with the New England Patriots. The Alabama product made the Pro Bowl as a rookie but struggled in Years 2 and 3.
After one season with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024, Jones signed with the 49ers in the offseason of 2025. San Francisco gave Jones a two-year, $8.4 million contract.
In 63 NFL games with the Patriots, Jaguars and 49ers, Jones has 12,741 passing yards and 67 passing touchdowns.
It will be fascinating to see how Young plays in 2026. He was benched during the 2024 season for Andy Dalton, so we know the Panthers are not afraid to move on from Young if he doesn't play well.
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