Bryce Young Proving Why Panthers Must Extend Him

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has played at a phenomenal level in the first two weeks of the season. Young and the Panthers offense have been explosive, leading to a blowout win in Week 2 over the Atlanta Falcons.

In Week 1, Carolina fell to the Chicago Bears 59-37, but it was due to the poor defensive performance rather than the offense struggling. Young had a quality game, completing 23 of 37 passes for 361 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. He also added 10 yards and a touchdown on the ground on two carries.

Young played well again in the Panthers' 34-3 win over the Falcons, completing 23 of 36 passes for 287 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions while rushing for six yards on one attempt.

Carolina drafted Young with the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he hasn't proven to be a consistent player in his first few seasons. 

In his rookie year in 2023, he completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, and rushed for 253 yards. 

In 2024, Young's numbers improved in some areas, as he completed 60.9 percent of his passes for 2,403 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while rushing for 249 yards and six touchdowns.

The 2025 season proved to be the best season of his career thus far, as he led the Panthers to an NFC South title and a playoff appearance. In that season, he completed 63.6 percent of his passes for 3,011 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, along with 216 yards and two touchdowns rushing.

While it was a major statistical jump, Young wasn't consistent throughout the season, which is part of why Carolina didn't finish with a winning record in 2025 despite making the playoffs.

However, through the first two games of the 2026 season, he has shown drastic improvement. He is consistently getting the ball downfield to his playmakers, reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker.

Young has looked poised in the pocket and is finally living up to what the Panthers envisioned when they selected him with the first overall pick. If he continues to play at this level, Carolina must extend him on a long-term deal to be their franchise quarterback. 

Young is currently under contract with the franchise through the 2027 season. The 25-year-old quarterback is off to a phenomenal start to the 2026 season, and he will look to lead the Panthers back to a second straight division title.