Bryce Young’s Week 1 stat line was the kind that turns heads: 361 passing yards, three touchdown passes and a rushing score in Carolina’s 59-37 loss to the Chicago Bears. The Panthers still came out on the wrong end of a shootout, but Young gave them plenty to like in his 2026 debut.
That showing was strong enough to earn him a solid grade from Pro Football Focus. His 80.7 PFF grade placed sixth among quarterbacks for Week 1, and PFF also said he ranked in the top five in both completion percentage over expectation and accuracy over expectation.
Still, when PFF rolled out its Week 2 quarterback rankings on Wednesday, Young landed at No. 20 overall.
PFF’s writeup was upbeat about the start Young made in what is expected to be a major season for him in Carolina: “This is a big season for Bryce Young's future in Carolina, and he started it well despite the loss to the Chicago Bears. His 80.7 PFF grade ranked sixth at the position, and he also ranked in the top five in both completion percentage over expectation and accuracy over expectation.”
From the Panthers’ perspective, the performance was encouraging even with the defeat. Young was charged with just one mistake, and it came right before halftime on a strong play by Bears defensive back Malik Muhammad. Outside of that, the game was largely positive for him, and the loss was not on his shoulders.
That matters because Young’s play this season will help shape what comes next. Carolina picked up his fifth-year option this offseason, but the team has not yet made a long-term commitment.
The hope is that Young keeps trending up and eventually locks down the franchise job. If that doesn’t happen, the Panthers could be looking for another quarterback this offseason.
In Other News...
Panthers Just Lost A Receiver Dave Canales Still Wanted Back
The Panthers moved on from Jimmy Horn Jr., but not quietly. Carolina waived the rookie wide receiver and returner after taking him in the sixth round this year, even though Dave Canales had made it clear he would have liked to keep Horn in the building. Horns speed and versatility gave the staff another option on offense and special teams, and he had carved out a small but useful role as the roster churn continued.
Horn is now heading to Cleveland, where he is signing with the Browns practice squad and will reconnect with former college quarterback Shedeur Sanders. For Carolina, it is another reminder of how thin the margins can be for young receivers trying to stick, especially when a coaching staff still sees value but cannot keep everyone. The Panthers now have to figure out how to replace one of the players Canales seemed most interested in developing further. [Read more 🡒]
Michael Penix Jr Puts Falcons Quarterback Decision Back In Play
Todd Bowles put a little more pressure on the NFC Souths quarterback conversation Monday when he said Baker Mayfield still needs to tighten up his ball security and cut down on turnovers. For Carolina, that only adds to the sense that the division is still very much in flux, with every opponent trying to sort out stability at the games most important position while the Panthers keep piecing together their own roster.
One of those moving parts is in Atlanta, where Michael Penix Jr. is continuing his recovery and was a full participant in practice while sharing reps with Cooper Rush. It is another sign that the Falcons have a decision to make as the season goes on, and the Panthers are watching all of it with interest, especially after waiving cornerback Jimmy Horn to make room for linebacker Tyrel Dodson and stressing that Horns development remains part of the long view. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Gave Up On Jimmy Horn Jr After One Costly Mistake
Jimmy Horn Jr.'s quick exit from Carolina says plenty about how thin the margin can be for a young receiver trying to stick in the NFL. The Panthers waived the sixth-round pick after a key mistake in their Week 1 loss, and when he went unclaimed on waivers, his next step came into focus quickly. Horn appeared in 13 games as a rookie, but the early stumble proved costly in a roster race where every snap matters.
Now Horn is headed to Cleveland, where he will reunite with his college quarterback, Shedeur Sanders. For a player trying to reset after being let go so early in the season, the Browns offer a familiar connection and another chance to show he can be more than one bad moment in Carolina. The Panthers, meanwhile, move on from a young receiver whose stay never had much room to breathe. [Read more 🡒]