No idea in the NFL is foolproof, but “draft the Heisman-winning quarterback from the winningest college football program of the century” certainly seems like a safe bet. That’s not the case, as the Carolina Panthers are learning.
Bryce Young, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is slowly but relentlessly playing himself out of a starting position. The Panthers are currently 6-6 after Monday night’s loss to San Francisco, mathematically in the playoff race but not fooling anyone.
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This game offered a perfect microcosm of Young’s struggles and limitations. The 49ers’ Brock Purdy threw interceptions on three straight possessions, including two in San Francisco territory and one in the red zone for Carolina, and yet Young was only able to convert them into three points. Young threw for just 169 yards on 18 of 29 attempts, with two interceptions and just one touchdown of note:
This dynamic – a good moment in a sea of ​​ugly moments – has characterized Young’s 2025 season. With the exception of last week’s game against the Falcons, where he had 448 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, his entire season has been disappointing. He only topped 200 passing yards twice all season. Four times he threw more interceptions than touchdowns. He ranks among the bottom starters this season in most major statistical categories – completion percentage, yardage, passer rating, QB rating.
The problem, of course, is that this isn’t exactly unusual for Young professionally. In 41 games, he is just 12-27 as a starter and has struggled against every team other than Atlanta.
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Young’s woes are all the more evident now that Carolina has added some important key pieces, including rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and newly acquired running back Rico Dowdle. The Panthers’ defense ranks middle of the pack in major stats like yardage and points allowed…which is important considering Carolina ranked last in both categories in 2024. While the rest of the team builds, the quarterback is stuck in the same middle spot as last year and the year before.
Young’s postgame press conference Monday night covered the same familiar themes again and again: lack of execution, being eliminated after 24 hours, and so on. What else can you say, really, about another disappointing performance?
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“Next week we’ll be 0-0,” he said. “We don’t have the luxury of thinking about the big picture. That’s not a good recipe for this league. Everyone is demanding our attention.”
Young may not be focused on the big picture, but the Panthers must now. The key date for Young’s future in Carolina is May 1, 2026. Between now and then, the Panthers must decide whether to offer Young a fifth-year option on his rookie contract. Also note: This date will come after the 2026 NFL Draft, when the Panthers will have the opportunity to draft a quarterback for the future.
With six wins now, with the Rams, Seahawks and Bucs still two games on their schedule, the Panthers will likely fall to the upper part of the first round – too low to get one of the top potential quarterback prospects, but not so far to be completely out of the hunt.
Young has five games left to make his case for an extension. This was an expensive pick – the Panthers traded a bunch of picks to the Bears to move up and grab him – but he could end up being more expensive if Carolina sticks with him in the future.
