Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young is ‘firmly on the hot seat’ according to prominent national media outlet

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is coming off his first career NFL playoff experience.

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has had an uneven start to his career since being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he appeared to right the ship in 2025, leading the franchise to its first playoff appearance since 2017.

Young, who was briefly benched in 2024, passed for a career-high 3,011 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2025.

The former Alabama standout led the Panthers to big wins over the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, and Green Bay Packers over a six week stretch this past season.

Despite the apparent step forward that Young took in his third year in the league, not everyone is convinced that he’s “the guy” for the Panthers moving forward.

Pro Football Focus says Bryce Young is “firmly on the hot seat”

PFF’s Nic Bodiford suggested that Young is on the “hot seat” entering the 2026 season due to some of his metrics trending in the wrong direction in 2025.

“After improving his passing play in 2024, Young worryingly reverted to his rookie season form in multiple categories,” noted Bodiford. “Young’s stable rushing metrics are also notably decreasing, resulting in his yards per rushing attempt average declining from 6.5 to 5.8 to 4.2. After averaging 0.38 missed tackles forced and 4.0 yards after contact per rushing attempt as a rookie, Young’s respective per-play averages decreased to 0.16 and 2.3 in 2024 to 0.11 and 2.0 this season. Young, 24, is firmly on the hot seat entering the 2026 offseason and could one day [find] himself as another team’s reclamation project.“

What to know about Bryce Young

  • No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft
  • 2021 Heisman Trophy winner
  • 2021 AP College Football Player of the Year
  • 2021 SEC Male Athlete of the Year
  • 2022 SEC Offensive Player of the Year
  • First Team All-SEC (2021), Second Team All-SEC (2022)

Admittedly, I’m not a big analytics guy (just win, baby), so I’m not sure I can agree with the hot seat take after Young delivered the Panthers’ first division title in a decade.

But I do think 2026 is clearly a pivotal year for Young and the Panthers.

At some point, Carolina has to make a decision on whether they’re going to make a longterm commitment to Young, or if they’re going to re-enter the quarterback market. If Young takes another step forward in 2026 — which will mostly be determined by how many games the Panthers win — then we could see Carolina roll the dice on the California native. A step back in 2026, however, could reset the Panthers’ plan at quarterback.

The Panthers are planning to pick up Young’s fifth year option this offseason.

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