The poise of Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has never been more apparent than it is now.
As we head into Week 7, Young should be among the NFL's (very) early Most Valuable Player candidates. He's leading the league in passing yards per game, is at the head of the No. 2 overall offense and has his team atop their division by a game and a half.
But if we really want to make a case for the budding star, then we have to bring up his protection—or lack thereof.
According to Gridiron Stats and Info, the Panthers have allowed the highest rate of pressures per dropback at 33.9 percent:
Which team allows the most pressures?
— Gridiron Stats and Info (@GridironInfo_) October 20, 2026
The Rams give up the least while the Panthers give up the most pic.twitter.com/LEKOpTQgdE
Carolina's offensive line has been
a work in progress all year long. The unit began the regular season without its usual starting tackles in Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton, leaving the duties to free-agent signee Rasheed Walker and 2026 first-round pick Monroe Freeling.
Their interior hasn't been at 100 percent, either. Left guard Damien Lewis has been dealing with an elbow injury, right guard Robert Hunt hasn't played up to his standards and new center Luke Fortner has struggled in pass protection—as he ranks 30th out of a qualifying 35 centers in Pro Football Focus' pass-blocking grade.
Nevertheless, Young has persisted—having tossed for 1,549 yards, 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He also just became the first quarterback since Peyton Manning and Drew Brees in 2013 to pass for at least 280 yards and a touchdown in each of his team's first five games.
Although MVPs aren't crowned through seven weeks of a season, Young—given the circumstances and his impressive results—could be angling for a seat in the room come February.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: This stat makes Panthers QB Bryce Young's early MVP case stand out above the rest
