If you haven't been paying attention to the NFC South lately, you might still think the quarterback situation in Charlotte is a mess. It’s been a revolving door for years. We’re talking about a franchise that went through Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and even a brief, nostalgic return of Cam Newton. It was exhausting.
But as we hit the start of 2026, the question of who is Panthers QB finally has a concrete, definitive answer.
Bryce Young is the guy.
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He didn't just survive the 2025 season; he actually led the Carolina Panthers to an NFC South title and their first home playoff game in a decade. Just a few days ago, on January 13, 2026, General Manager Dan Morgan made it official by announcing the team is picking up Young’s fifth-year option. That locks him in through 2027. Honestly, if you’d asked fans about this two years ago after that brutal 2-15 rookie campaign, half of them would have told you to trade him for a bag of footballs.
Things change fast in the NFL.
The Stats That Saved the Season
Let’s get into the weeds for a second because the numbers tell a story of a kid who finally figured out how to swim in deep water. In 2025, Young put up career highs across the board.
- Passing Yards: 3,011
- Touchdowns: 23
- Completion Percentage: 63.6%
- Interceptions: 11
Look, 3,000 yards isn't going to make Patrick Mahomes lose any sleep. It’s not "video game" numbers. But for a Panthers team that has been starved for league-average QB play, it was a revelation. He’s becoming the king of the "clutch" moment, too. Young has recorded 12 game-winning drives since he entered the league in 2023—the most of any quarterback in that span.
Think about that.
Even when the offense is stagnant for three quarters, he’s found a way to pull a rabbit out of a hat when the lights get brightest. In the Wild Card game against the Rams on January 10, he threw a go-ahead touchdown to Jalen Coker with less than three minutes left. They lost 34-31 because Matthew Stafford is still Matthew Stafford, but Young proved he belonged on that stage. He finished that game with 264 passing yards, a touchdown through the air, and another one on the ground.
Who Is Panthers QB Backup?
While Bryce is the undisputed starter, every team needs a "break glass in case of emergency" guy. Right now, that’s Andy Dalton.
The "Red Rifle" is 38 years old now. He’s been in the league for 15 years, which is basically a century in football terms. Dalton only started one game in 2025 when Young was nursing a minor injury, but his presence in the locker room is massive. He’s the steady hand.
However, don't expect Dalton to be around forever. There’s a lot of chatter coming out of the Panthers' front office that they might look for a younger developmental backup in the 2026 NFL Draft. Dan Morgan has been pretty vocal about wanting "competition at every position." Dalton is a free agent candidate for a "cap casualty" cut this offseason since he carries a $4 million hit, so the backup spot is actually a bit of a question mark heading into the spring.
The Dave Canales Effect
You can't talk about who is Panthers QB without mentioning head coach Dave Canales. The guy is a quarterback whisperer. He fixed Geno Smith in Seattle, he resurrected Baker Mayfield in Tampa, and now he’s turned Bryce Young into a winning starter.
The scheme changed everything.
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Instead of asking a 5'10" quarterback to sit in a collapsing pocket and read the whole field like he's 6'5", Canales moved the pocket. They used more play-action. They got the ball out of his hands faster. It also helped that the Panthers finally gave him some weapons. Drafting Tetairoa McMillan 8th overall in 2025 was a masterstroke. Having a massive, 6'5" target made the window of error much wider for Young.
Why People Are Still Skeptical
Is Bryce Young elite? Not yet.
There are still some ugly games on the tape. He had a game against the Seahawks last year where he only threw for 54 yards on 24 attempts. That is... not good. He still struggles with consistency, and he's never going to be the guy who trucks a linebacker at the goal line.
But the Panthers are 14-30 with him as a starter overall, and 8-8 in his most recent regular-season starts. That’s a massive upward trajectory. He went from being a draft "bust" to a division-winning quarterback in 24 months.
What Happens Next for the Carolina QB Room?
With the 19th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Panthers aren't in the market for a new starter. That drama is over. The focus now shifts to whether they give Young a massive $200 million+ extension this offseason or wait one more year to see if he can take the "top 10" leap.
If you’re looking at the roster today, here’s how the depth chart shakes out:
- Bryce Young (The Franchise)
- Andy Dalton (The Veteran - for now)
- Jack Plummer (Reserve/Future)
The team is also high on Jalen Coker, the undrafted find who became Young's favorite target late in the season. The chemistry there is real.
If you're a Panthers fan or just trying to keep your roster straight for next season, stop worrying about the quarterback carousel. The seat is taken. Bryce Young has navigated the storm, survived the coaching changes, and emerged as the clear leader of this team.
Next Steps for Following the Panthers QB Situation:
- Watch the 2026 NFL Draft (April): See if the Panthers use a mid-round pick on a mobile backup to mirror Young’s skill set.
- Monitor Extension News: If Dan Morgan signs Young to a long-term deal before August, it means they are 100% sold on him being the guy for the next decade.
- Keep an eye on Jalen Coker: His development as a WR1/WR2 directly correlates to Young's statistical output.
The "Who is Panthers QB" debate is officially closed for the first time since 2019. Now, the only question is how far Bryce Young can actually take them.