The 2025 NFL season is shaping up to be a proving ground for many young quarterbacks drafted with high expectations.
As analysts continue to weigh in on who might rise above the rest, one former NFL quarterback has offered a bold prediction, one that leaves out some of the more obvious names.
Dan Orlovsky Puts Faith in Third-Year QB Hopeful as 2025’s Top Breakout Talent
Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, Dan Orlovsky was asked by Darius Butler which young quarterback he believes will take the biggest leap this season. Despite a list that included Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, and Drake Maye, Orlovsky went in a different direction, naming Bryce Young as his top candidate.
“If I had to bet on one, it would be Bryce,” said Orlovsky. Pointing to Young’s resilience during a difficult rookie campaign in 2023, noting that the former No. 1 overall pick never broke under pressure.
According to Orlovsky, Young’s ability to bounce back late last season, combined with key additions on the roster, set the stage for a breakout year.
Central to that optimism is new Panthers head coach Dave Canales, whose previous success as an offensive coordinator has earned him credibility across the league. Orlovsky emphasized that Canales is “a really good coach” and said his belief in both the coach and the young quarterback underpins his confidence in Young.
“I would bet on Bryce Young this season..
I believe in Dave Canales and I love the addition of Tet McMillan..
This is a very good offensive line and I love the way Bryce Young bounced back last year”@danorlovsky7 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/EG5A20fCV4
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 18, 2025
A major offseason headline was the Panthers drafting wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth overall pick. Orlovsky highlighted the physical advantage of McMillan and existing weapons like Adam Thielen and Xavier Legette, calling the perimeter duo “physically a problem.”
Comparing them to the Tennessee Titans’ big-bodied receiving corps from years past, featuring A.J. Brown and Corey Davis.
NFL analyst Marc Ross has also echoed Orlovsky’s sentiment. In a list of “guaranteed risers” for 2025, Ross included Young, citing a strong finish to the 2024 season.
After reclaiming the starting role in Week 8, Young threw 15 touchdowns and just six interceptions over his final ten games, leading the Panthers to late-game scores in six of those contests.
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Still, skepticism remains. Over his first 18 career games, Young had more interceptions than touchdowns and was sacked 68 times in total. The Panthers have not reached the playoffs since 2017, and Young’s development is central to reversing that trend.
While other rookies may generate more headlines, Orlovsky’s vote of confidence in Young signals a belief that Carolina may finally have found its franchise quarterback.