After getting benched for veteran quarterback Andy Dalton in the 2024 season, the Carolina Panthers quarterback, Bryce Young, was expected to step up this year. Instead, the Panthers landed with a disappointing 1-3 record. And if the starting QB isn’t able to change the team’s fate in the upcoming two games, writer Saad Yousuf believes that Young might risk getting benched again or perhaps something worse.

But he hasn’t completely lost faith in Young despite his struggles. He went on to point out the Panthers’ history with their former players,  who found success after leaving the team, such as quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield. “Maybe the same happens for Young, but it’s getting tougher in Year 3 to build a case for him,” he wrote.

“However, his next two weeks are against a bad Miami Dolphins defense and literally the worst defense in the NFL, in the Cowboys. If Young doesn’t get right in these games, that might be it, at least in Carolina.” This might just be the 2 games that Young gets. If it results in a loss, Panther’s head coach Dave Canales might be forced to look elsewhere for a quarterback.

While his words had a warning for Young, he also pointed out the next two games that could be a make-or-break moment for the team. He completed 18 of 35 passes for 154 yards in the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the game against the Atlanta Falcons, he only threw for 121 yards and didn’t find the end zone once.

Young currently ranks 23rd in passing yards, 29th in passer rating, and 27th in QBR, with three interceptions more than all but seven quarterbacks in the league. After the Panthers’ 1-3 start, Young now holds the third-worst record in NFL history among quarterbacks with at least 30 starts, according to AP reporter Steve Reed.

Quarterback Andy Dalton could fill in for a few games. However, he’s turning 38 this month. The Panthers need a long-term solution.

Quarterback Hendon Hooker could be elevated from the practice squad. After two years with the Detroit Lions, this might give him a chance to prove himself. Hooker was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round (68th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He began his rookie season on the reserve/non-football injury list as he recovered from an ACL injury sustained at Tennessee and was activated on December 19, 2023, though he did not play that season.

Hooker made his NFL debut on October 13, 2024, in Week 6, coming in for Jared Goff in the fourth quarter of a 47–9 win over the Dallas Cowboys. On August 25, 2025, the Lions waived him. In August 2025 Panthers officially signed Hooker to their practice squad.

But well, it’s not just the quarterback; the Panthers will also have to work on their offensive line, which is dealing with injuries. Lack of protection is one reason that impacted Young.

However, for now, it depends on Young whether he can turn things around.

NFL analyst criticised Bryce Young

Young had the same issues last season, but he seemed to have pulled it together towards the end. But another string of issues has found the QB again. In the last four games, he completed just 60.4% of his passes for 753 yards and five touchdowns to three interceptions.

And now, he’s even faced harsh criticism from an anonymous NFL evaluator. In a conversation with NFL insider Jeff Howe, the evaluator shared that they don’t believe Young is the right fit for the team. “I don’t think he’s the guy,” the report read.

As per the same evaluator, Young has had some really rough moments during the Panthers’ 1-3 start. He’s appeared uneasy in the pocket, struggled to read defenses, lacked anticipation, and hasn’t been consistently accurate.

But the coach isn’t ready to give up on him just yet. Young is still the team’s starting quarterback. When asked whether Young will be the starter, “Definitely,” he said.

The coach further added, “Counting on him to keep us on track. There were some near-misses across the board, some penalties that put us in weird situations, a couple of protection issues, and one of them where he slipped and kinda put us in a bad situation. But I still feel that he’s being confident out there, he’s leading the group, he’s getting us out there with good energy and focus. So he’ll continue to play.”

This is where the QB’s confidence is boosted. He will need that when the Panthers face the Dolphins. For now, the coach has full confidence in him. But if the numbers keep sliding and the wins don’t come, he might look elsewhere to fill the quarterback position.