Bryce Young is heading into the kind of season that can change the whole conversation around him, but the idea that Carolina has fully set him up to thrive doesn’t really hold up.
The Panthers picked up Young’s option because, as CBS Sports insider Zachary Pereles put it, it made sense at the “most basic level.” That decision keeps the quarterback on the clock, though, because nothing about his future is locked in beyond this stretch. Depending on how 2026 goes, Young could be looking at no extension, a $35 million extension, a $45 million extension, or even a move to the bench or another team.
Pereles made the case that Young has as much riding on this season as almost anyone in the league. C.J. Stroud is the only other player in that neighborhood, and even that comparison comes with a caveat: Stroud’s résumé is still stronger, even if the gap has started to shrink.
There’s no question Young has already survived a lot. Carolina tore down its roster to take him in 2023, and he’s dealt with plenty of pressure since then.
He stumbled early, but he never cracked under it. After a very solid year and a strong playoff debut, he has at least given himself a real shot at changing his trajectory.
Still, the Panthers’ roster construction doesn’t match the idea that Young is walking into some ideal situation. Pereles wrote, "The Panthers added premier defensive talent this offseason and have assembled some real talent on offense. They won the NFC South last year and expect to take another step, but Young could be the limiting factor -- and a significant one at that."
Carolina absolutely did pour a boatload of money into the defense, and that side of the ball should help by creating opportunities and easing the burden on the offense. That matters. But as every quarterback knows, the offense is where the real difference gets made.
And that’s where the picture gets murkier.
Tetairoa McMillan is a real addition, and Jalen Coker looks like a strong UDFA find. After that, the receiving room gets shaky fast, with Xavier Legette and the rest of the depth chart looking either unproven, uninspiring, or already stamped as a bust.
The tight end group doesn’t offer much more certainty. Carolina has three players there who may not even be close to what an aging Darren Waller, who literally just signed on, can still provide.
The backfield has questions too. Chuba Hubbard’s best days appear to be behind him, while Jonathon Brooks has only nine NFL carries and already has two torn ACLs on his ledger.
The offensive line is supposed to be a major investment area, but right now it’s a mess. Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt are expected back for the regular season, but the rest of the picture is ugly: Luke Fortner and Sam Hecht at center, with Rasheed Walker and Monroe Freeling at tackle, amounts to a backup-level setup across the board. It’s a new mix with no chemistry, and it has to protect Young from day one.
So yes, the pressure is real. The defense should be better.
The offense has some pieces. But it’s still hard to argue Carolina has handed Bryce Young everything he needs.
The Panthers have raised the stakes for him. They haven’t exactly removed the obstacles.
In Other News...
Panthers Still Have 1 Preseason Problem At Every Level
Two preseason games in, Carolina is still sorting out a few of the places where the depth chart is supposed to start taking shape, and linebacker remains one of the clearest examples. The staff is evaluating a close battle for the LB2 role next to Devin Lloyd, with Claudin Cherelus and Trevin Wallace both getting a long look as the Panthers try to settle one of the most important spots on the defense before the regular season arrives.
There is similar uncertainty on the offensive side, where the team is working through a new system under Brad Idzik and Bryce Young while also figuring out how the running backs will be used. The latest complication comes with Darren Waller, who signed recently but is still learning the playbook, leaving his status for roster cuts another part of a broader preseason puzzle that still has pieces missing at every level. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers May Have Found The Tight End Help This Offense Needed
The Panthers have spent much of the offseason looking for a tighter fit at tight end, and the signing of veteran Darren Waller gives them a proven option with real pass-catching upside. Carolinas current group produced just over 600 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season, which left room for a more dynamic presence in the middle of the field and near the goal line.
Waller arrives with a track record that suggests he can change that equation if he earns a spot on the final roster. The 32-year-old was productive in his most recent action and drew strong marks from Pro Football Focus, but the bigger question for Carolina is whether that form carries over long enough to make him a factor in the red zone once the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]