Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, through just four games of the 2026 NFL season, is already leading the league in passing yards and first downs, absolutely making him the overwhelming favorite for the NFL’s Most Improved Player Award. Forget about him “not yet” being in the MVP conversation with guys like Brock Purdy, Josh Allen, Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III, and Trevor Lawrence. If he keeps this up, he’s crashing that party.
The Numbers Tell the Whole Story
After two rocky seasons, Young finally started showing flashes of what made him a No. 1 overall pick late last season. He even helped Carolina snap their playoff drought. Still, in 2025, he was just No. 21 in passing with 3,011 yards and a pedestrian No. 27 in passer rating at 87.8. But what he’s doing in 2026 under coach Dave Canales? It’s a completely different guy out there. The comfort in that offense has translated into straight-up dominance. Heading into Week 5, Young has dramatically improved in nearly every stat you care about for a quarterback. He’s not just first in passing yards and first downs, he’s also second in passes of 20 yards or more. Plus, he’s sixth in CPOE, fifth in QBR, and ninth in EPA/play. Those aren’t just good numbers; they’re elite.
Shutting Down the Doubters
Some people out there are trying to say Young’s just feasting on weak defenses, but the evidence completely contradicts that narrative. The dude has been playing against some legit tough opponents. The Chicago Bears? They’ve got the third-best passing defense in the entire league. And it’s not just about the secondary, either. The Atlanta Falcons rank third in pass rush win rate, with the Detroit Lions right behind them at fourth. Young is absolutely standing tall in the pocket and delivering against real pressure. He’s reading the field and performing like he’s been doing this for ten years, looking like a grizzled veteran who has seen every trick this league can throw at him.
We’ll definitely learn more about Young as this season progresses. But right now, what he’s doing is more than just impressive; it’s putting the entire league on notice.
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.
Leave a Reply