Bryce Young may have finally arrived despite Panthers’ lopsided loss to Bears

But Young led Carolina to the playoffs last season and gave the Los Angeles Rams a scare, throwing for 264 yards and adding two touchdowns, losing the game narrowly, 34-31. It was a terrific moment for the quarterback who’d fought through losing seasons and being benched, but he still needed to prove he could do it consistently.

Bryce Young posts gaudy stat line despite loss to Bears

The Panthers opened the 2026 season against the Bears, and while the latter won convincingly, Young showed out with 361 passing yards, three passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. It was a close game until the end of the third quarter when the Bears pulled away, so although Carolina lost, it was an encouraging sign from the offense, putting up 37 points as a unit.

The defense won’t surrender nearly 60 points every game, so if Young can keep riding this momentum that he created at the end of last season, the Panthers could shape up to be a formidable team. They have given their franchise quarterback everything he needs to be successful, with wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who was the team’s first-round pick last year, and a much-improved offensive line.

Young’s career looked shaky for a minute, but he is finally showing the talent that the world saw when he was with the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Panthers have the Atlanta Falcons up next on the schedule, a team the third-year quarterback threw for nearly 450 yards against the last time he saw them. So, there is a chance this strong play from Young continues and the Panthers offense continues to grow along with its young core.