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The Carolina Panthers are about to start their 2026 season this weekend. It will be a tough matchup for the Panthers, as they are welcoming in the Chicago Bears.
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Ahead of this season, we know there’s a ton of pressure on quarterback Bryce Young. Young had his best season in 2025, and the hope is that he will take another step in 2026. If he does so, the Panthers can win the division again, and Young can set himself up for a massive extension.
Getting off to a hot start is crucial, and that’s not something the Panthers have done in recent seasons. Today, let’s go over one concerning trend that has to be brought to an end this year.
Bryce Young Has Never Won a Week 1 or Week 2 Game
This may be a surprising fact, but since being drafted in 2023, Young has never won a game in Week 1 or Week 2. Young’s 0-6 record in the first two weeks of the season is the worst mark in the league, with Russell Wilson (0-4) the only quarterback close.
It’s not just that the Panthers have lost to better teams, either, as Young has genuinely been bad in these games. Young has an average passer rating of just 64.0 in those matchups, which is the worst mark among 38 qualified passers.
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Another interesting tidbit is that the Panthers have scored exactly 10 points in each of their last three Week 1 games, and Young has thrown two interceptions in each game. To be fair, the quarterback is aware of these struggles, and there’s been an added emphasis this summer on starting fast.
“Every year’s a new year. We want to have an emphasis of starting fast. We talked about that a lot as a team, as a unit, as an organization,” Young said. “But we know that comes with work. It’s about just having the best week possible. Going into the game with as much clear communication and being on the same page as we can.”
This is the type of thing Young needs to correct if he really wants to take a step forward. We know he’s been great in late-game and comeback situations, but he needs to be more consistent through.
If Young throws two interceptions and the Panthers only muster 10 points, they will not beat the Bears. This is a great opportunity for Young to show that he is indeed a different quarterback after 2025.
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This story was originally published September 11, 2026 at 10:45 AM.