CHARLOTTE — The draft debate that defined the 2023 season just took a sharp, unexpected turn in the 2026 offseason. NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms dropped a bombshell on The Dan Patrick Show this week, admitting he would now pick Bryce Young over C.J. Stroud to lead a franchise. It is a staggering reversal for two players whose careers have been knotted together since they went 1-2 in the draft three years ago.
The Late-Season Slide That Changed Everything
For two years, Stroud looked like the clear winner. He grabbed the 2023 Rookie of the Year trophy while Young struggled behind a collapsing line. But the 2025 season flipped that script. While Young led the Carolina Panthers to an NFC South title and eight wins, Stroud hit a wall. The Texans quarterback struggled with late-season efficiency, finishing 2025 with 19 touchdowns and 8 interceptions—respectable, but a far cry from his rookie peak.
Simms didn’t hold back on the “no-brainer” tag he previously gave Stroud. “He really lost his way towards the end of the year,” Simms noted, pointing to system changes in Houston and a lingering lack of rhythm. Meanwhile, Young found his footing. The Alabama product racked up 3,011 passing yards and 23 touchdowns in 2025. He didn’t just play better; he became the king of the fourth quarter with six game-winning drives this past season.
A Growth Spurt in Charlotte
The Panthers took a gamble on Young’s poise, and it’s finally paying dividends. After a brief benching in 2024, Young returned with a refined approach. He cut down the catastrophic sacks, dropping his sack-per-pressure rate significantly. In the final seven games of 2025, he averaged 7.2 yards per attempt, showing the vertical threat Carolina fans have waited years to see.
Stroud’s situation in Houston feels more fragile. Despite a 64.5% completion rate, his yards per attempt dipped to 7.2, and his EPA (Expected Points Added) per dropback fell to the middle of the pack. Critics point to the Texans’ revolving door at offensive coordinator, but Simms suggests the issues might be deeper. “I sit here now, I guess, giving the edge to Bryce Young—but don’t feel necessarily great about that,” Simms admitted, acknowledging the uncertainty still surrounding both passers.
“Everyone outside this building wanted to write him off. They called him a bust before he even had a chance to breathe. But Bryce? He’s the most composed guy I’ve ever been around. When the game is on the line, we know exactly who is winning it for us.”
— Adam Thielen, Panthers Wide Receiver
The 2026 Outlook: Fifth-Year Options and Extensions
The Panthers are reportedly set to pick up Young’s fifth-year option, securing their leader through 2027. The move signals a massive shift in organizational confidence. Across the way, the Texans face a crossroads. Stroud is still a high-floor starter, but the “superstar” trajectory has flattened. Houston must decide if they need to overhaul the scheme again or if Stroud can recapture the magic that made him a Pro Bowler as a rookie.
As the 2026 Scouting Combine nears, the Young vs. Stroud debate remains the most fascinating case study in NFL development. One rose fast and slowed down; the other started in the dirt and climbed his way out. For now, the “advantage” sits in Carolina.
