Carolina Panthers fans have reason to be optimistic about quarterback Bryce Young heading into the 2026 season. The former No. 1 overall pick is coming off a career year that saw him lead the team to its first NFC South title since 2015, and the organization has already exercised his fifth-year option, signaling confidence in a long-term future together.

Recently, on NFL Network's Good Morning Football, former wide receiver Isaiah Stanback named Young as his top candidate to make the biggest leap among quarterbacks in 2026. "He's now acclimated to this Dave Canales system," Stanback said. "You talk about somebody who has continually improved their game—he's been through it, where he was the starter, they benched him for Andy Dalton, he earned the starting job back. Everybody always knocks him for his size, but you can't knock him for his tenacity or his mentality. This dude is doing a heck of a job improving as a quarterback... it's only going to get better for this young man."

Young has already shown flashes of elite play, as the Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons learned in 2025. His clutch gene is undeniable—he's posted 10 game-winning drives over the last two seasons and thrives in one-score games. But consistency remains the key. To truly take that next step, Young needs to sharpen his accuracy (currently at 61.4 percent completion rate), especially on intermediate throws, while cleaning up those short-range misses that still creep in. Ball security is another priority, as he's accumulated 23 career fumbles.

If Young can iron out those details, the leap everyone is talking about could become a reality—and Panthers fans will be more than ready to celebrate.