Panthers Back Bryce Young For 2026 Season Despite Growing Skepticism

Overview

• As of early September 2026 the Panthers say Young is their starting quarterback and the club expresses optimism about further progress.
• CBS Sports analyst Douglas Clawson has publicly predicted Young could be benched midseason if he regresses, and that forecast is being widely discussed in coverage as speculation rather than a team plan.
• Carolina picked up Young’s fifth-year option for 2027, which keeps him under team control and raises the stakes for his 2026 performance ahead of any long-term extension talks.
• Offensive changes include coordinator Brad Idzik taking over play-calling and a deeper receiving corps led by Tetairoa McMillan plus Darren Waller and Jalen Coker, which could boost Young’s chances of a breakout.
• The Panthers will open the season without starting tackles Ickey Ekwonu and Taylor Moton, a shortage that increases pressure on Young and makes veteran backup Kenny Pickett and rookie Haynes King key contingency options.