The Carolina Panthers have actually been a bit of a surprise this season, as they are 5-5 and in playoff contention in the NFC. However, it has been no thanks to Bryce Young, who has struggled mightily in his third year.
In nine games this season, Young has thrown for 1,514 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 61.7 percent of his passes and posting a 79.7 passer rating. He has actually regressed since the second half of 2024, and with Young's fifth-year option decision coming up, it's looking more and more like the Panthers may decline it.
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So could Carolina actually head out in search of a new quarterback during the offseason?
ESPN's Dan Graziano thinks so, floating Arizona Cardinals signal-caller Kyler Murray as a potential replacement for Young.
"I guess we could throw Carolina in for similar reasons if Bryce Young doesn't turn things around," Graziano wrote. "Most people I talk to about the Murray situation doubt that the Cardinals will be able to trade that contract, which means he'd likely be released before that 2027 money triggers next March."
Murray signed a five-year, $230.5 million contract extension with Arizona back in 2022 following back-to-back trips to the Pro Bowl for the former No. 1 overall pick. Murray then suffered a torn ACL the ensuing campaign, missed half of 2023 while recovering and is now on injured reserve due to a foot injury.
When the 28-year-old has been on the field recently, he hasn't been very effective, which is why many feel the Cardinals look better with Jacoby Brissett under center.
Would this actually be a good move for the Panthers then? While Murray has definitely shown more than Young, Carolina would essentially just be swapping disappointing No. 1 picks rather than trying to find a new franchise quarterback the traditional way.
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Of course, the problem for the Panthers is that they may end up with too strong of a record to land one of the top signal-callers in the 2026 NFL Draft, although there should be impressive quarterback talent toward the back half of the first round.
Murray has played in just five games this season, throwing for 962 yards, six touchdowns and three picks.