Bryce Young’s Struggles Continue as Panthers’ Playoff Hopes Hang in the Balance
Bryce Young’s sophomore season in the NFL has been anything but smooth-and the latest QB rankings reflect it. After a tough loss to the Saints, the Carolina Panthers quarterback dropped from 13th to 20th in the latest NFL quarterback rankings, a steep fall that mirrors the team’s own rollercoaster campaign.
Let’s be clear: Young didn’t play poorly in New Orleans. He completed 15 of 24 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown, and he added 49 yards on the ground with his legs.
But in a must-win game, the Panthers came up short again. And in this league, especially in December, it’s not just about how you play-it’s about whether you win.
The Panthers are still mathematically alive in the NFC South, sitting with the same record as the Buccaneers. But because Tampa owns the better win percentage in common games, Carolina’s margin for error is razor-thin.
If they want to snap their playoff drought-which stretches back to 2017-they’ll likely need to run the table and finish 3-0. That’s a tall order, and it starts with more consistent quarterback play.
Young’s season numbers paint a picture of a player still trying to find his footing. He’s thrown for 2,500 yards and 19 touchdowns, with a 63.3% completion rate.
But the turnovers are a problem-six fumbles and nine interceptions. And while his mobility has added another dimension to the offense, it hasn’t been enough to lift the Panthers out of the bottom tier offensively.
They rank 28th in points per game and 25th in passing yards.
After the loss, Young kept his focus forward. “Just want to go 1-0,” he said.
“That’s always the mindset. And again, we’ll watch the film, you know, we’ll live it for these 24 hours.
After that, just turn the page. That’s all, all that matters.”
It’s the right mindset, but the clock is ticking. The Panthers invested heavily in Young, selecting him first overall and handing him the keys to the franchise.
Through 43 career games, he’s thrown for 7,780 yards with 45 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. He’s added 672 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground.
But the win-loss record-13-28-looms large. Fair or not, quarterbacks are judged by wins, and Carolina hasn’t done much of that during Young’s tenure.
The pressure is mounting. If Young doesn’t show progress down the stretch, questions about his future in Carolina will only grow louder. The Panthers are at a crossroads, and so is their quarterback.