Bryce Young has endured a lot of adversity in his first NFL season. For large portions, his Carolina Panthers have resembled the arguably worst team in the league. (Frank Reich also hasn’t done his players many favors.) Meanwhile, the quarterback drafted right after him, C.J. Stroud, has looked like a legitimate franchise quarterback elevating the Houston Texans more than the sum of their parts every single week.
With the Panthers playing the Texans on Sunday, Young had his opportunity to show there’s still so much to decide between him and his childhood friend. I’d say he did rather well, considering the circumstances. Young showed out in a 235-yard, one-touchdown performance where he also led Carolina to a game-winning field goal in the closing moments. Not only were the formerly winless Panthers now on the board, Young did it by beating Stroud head-to-head.
In a video courtesy of the Panthers’ video team, it seemed apparent that getting his first career win at Stroud’s expense meant a lot to the young Carolina quarterback.
To be fair, who wouldn’t have the same reaction?
(Warning: NSFW language in the video below)
🗣️ hell yeah babyyyy 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/zuho1JRgi0
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 29, 2023
Young and Stroud have only just begun their careers. Even with Stroud holding early pole position, Sunday showed us that Young might make this a neck-and-neck race just yet.
This was how Twitter reacted
https://t.co/luj1TFG4Gp pic.twitter.com/eESJI6X2LH
— Panthers On Tap (@PanthersOnTap) October 29, 2023
Told y’all, this meant more to Bryce. So happy for him. https://t.co/88gAzAdxrZ
— Not Frank Reich (@NotCoachReich) October 29, 2023
So many people are breathing a sigh of relief today. I feel so happy for Bryce. https://t.co/eyVNBkwRjk
— Ryan (@tvisgreat) October 29, 2023
They done woke up a monster……. https://t.co/TfjhVxPjrT
— Kham (@Khamp177) October 29, 2023
I’m so happy for this kid man he deserves this https://t.co/7MiawMA86L
— Damion Felder (@panthers_nation) October 29, 2023
Oh Bryce acting different it’s gonna be scary for the league https://t.co/ZKtp921C6v
— Lucas (@NotMikeTolbert) October 29, 2023
Frank looking at him like a proud dad 🥺🥺 https://t.co/IApgkuGnSs
— Luke Gray (@LukeGray1997) October 29, 2023
Panthers remember what this feels like and strive for this! https://t.co/1KJHXAxWP2
— Christian Noble (@Noble_CD) October 29, 2023
The vibes you love to see… https://t.co/BW4p27yNJk
— Jacob Roland (@JRolNation) October 29, 2023