Panthers' Bryce Young Being Written Off in Latest Quarterback Rankings

Bryce Young is coming off his best pro season in 2025, but you'd never know that. Based on what people are projecting for 2026, you'd think Young got benched again and had an overall bad season, and you definitely wouldn't think the Panthers made the postseason. It's almost unanimous that people expect a down year for Young and the Panthers. Sure, Young didn't have the prettiest final stat line in 2025, but it was still a vast improvement over his previous work. The Panthers didn't get any worse on paper, either, so the negativity is mind-boggling. In a recent quarterback ranking ahead of Week 1, Young is way too low, and it's shocking. Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News recently published his starting quarterback rankings ahead of the 2026 season. Iyer has Young all the way down at No. 26, right behind C.J. Stroud and in front of Cam Ward. Ward, Aaron Rodgers, Jacoby Brissett, Geno Smith, Deshaun Watson, and Tua Tagovailoa are the only quarterbacks Iyer sees as worse than Young. 'Young showed flashes of maybe being the long-term passing answer last season with having a bona fide No. 1 wide receiver, Tetairoa McMillan. Young needs more help from both up front and extra targets, however, to turn the corner after raising his game for a playoff test against the Rams,' Iyer said. 'Otherwise, at 5-10, 204 pounds, he'll be written off for not ever playing bigger than the size concern.' Iyer even mentions that Young showed franchise quarterback potential now that he has a No. 1 receiver. Iyer also acknowledged that Young needs more help, as we all know the Panthers have not put the quarterback in the best position to succeed. Despite that, Young still threw for 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns last season while leading his team to the playoffs. Just because he's undersized and lacks an elite supporting cast doesn't mean he's one of the worst quarterbacks in the league. It's a unique situation because typically when a quarterback overperforms and has his best season, he gets the benefit of the doubt. For whatever reason, Young has not gotten that benefit of the doubt this offseason, and even seems to have more doubters than ever. Of course, this could correct itself. If Young replicates his 2025 production, nobody will remember these rankings. Young has plenty of motivation, as he's not only playing for an extension, but he's also playing to prove the doubters wrong. Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved This story was originally published September 8, 2026 at 11:26 AM.