Bryce Young is absolutely carving it up, leading the entire NFL with nine passing touchdowns against just two interceptions through four games. This isn’t the same dude we saw a couple years back, not even close, and the numbers are screaming it loud. Fans are already chanting “MVP” after Sunday night’s win over Detroit, and for once, that kind of noise feels totally earned for the 25-year-old quarterback. He’s stacked up 1,268 passing yards and a killer 100.0 passer rating, which is a monstrous leap from his rookie season.
Stewart’s Wild Comparison: A Legend’s Poise in a Young Gun
When we talk about this kind of leap, sometimes you gotta reach for the legends, right? Well, Panthers great Jonathan Stewart just did, telling Heavy.com that Young’s found a groove that straight-up reminds him of Peyton Manning. Stewart said the young signal-caller’s poise in the pocket is just rare, period. He went as far as saying “There’s really no comparison in my opinion, man. He’s one of one,” when asked about similarities. Stewart highlighted that even though Young is 5-foot-10 compared to Manning’s 6-foot-5, they both command the huddle with the same calm authority. Think about that for a second: a five-time MVP and a guy just hitting his stride, getting props for the *same* kind of pocket mastery. Stewart wasn’t done, though. He also dropped a line to his college teammate Dennis Dixon, pointing out Young’s super smooth movement and finesse inside the pocket. “It’s smooth, just very smooth,” Stewart added, believing Young’s a distinct kind of quarterback. That craftiness, escaping pressure without losing his cool, that’s what separates the good ones from the great ones.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: From ‘Bust’ to Baller Status
These stats aren’t just good, they’re elite, especially for a squad sitting at 2-2. Young absolutely went off for 329 yards and two touchdowns against the Lions in Week 4 alone. Before that, he dropped three scores against Atlanta and then another three against Chicago in the opener. He’s not just doing it clean, either; he’s finding success under pressure, racking up 411 passing yards and four touchdowns when the pocket collapses. And shoutout to Tetairoa McMillan, who’s been a massive help, snagging 14 balls for 192 yards against Detroit. That receiver is on pace to smash last year’s marks, giving Young a seriously reliable target downfield. This kind of performance is why the team picked up his fifth-year option worth $25.9 million in the offseason, guaranteeing it even before this recent surge. They’re paying him $12.1 million this season, and that confidence makes sense now. Remember 2024, when he was benched for Andy Dalton? Yeah, this is the same guy who went from that “bust” label, then led his team to the playoffs last year, and now he’s performing like a top-tier QB. That turnaround? That’s the real story right here.
Can he keep this magic rolling, though? The MVP race is a tough grind, and a player usually needs a winning record for that hardware. Right now, Kalshi only gives Young a 2% chance to win MVP, according to Yahoo Sports. That might feel low, but hey, the season’s young, and the road ahead is no joke. Young himself is taking all the noise in stride, telling Pat McAfee, “I’m grateful for the engagement. Sports are so big because people care like that.” The Panthers are on their bye week now, giving them some crucial rest before they face the Philadelphia Eagles on October 18. If Young can carry this insane form into that game and help his team climb the standings, those 2% odds are gonna look absolutely silly.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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