Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young still has some work to do.
The former No. 1 overall pick’s recent resurgence has become one of the top feel-good stories of the NFL season thus far. Since returning to the starting lineup after his benching at the start of Week 3, Young has completed 61.0 percent of his throws for 784 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions while leading the Panthers to a respectable 2-2 mark.
But even despite Young putting on the most impressive performance of his pro career against the defending Super Bowl champions this past Sunday, ESPN senior NFL insider Jeremy Fowler believes Carolina still isn’t prepared to commit to the 23-year-old beyond 2024.
Fowler, in his column of Week 13 buzz, writes:
The Panthers have made Young earn the job week to week, but he’s making a case to be the starter for the rest of the season. He’s coming off his best game with 263 yards and one touchdown pass against a strong Chiefs defense. But if Carolina believes it can replace Young with better talent in 2025, it will. There’s no need to make that determination yet, and Young could serve as a good bridge or competition with another quarterback.
Those 263 yards stand as a season-high for Young, who looked confident and poised throughout his pressure-filled start against an overwhelming Chiefs defense. Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be enough, as the Panthers took a tough 30-27 loss at the buzzer.
Carolina’s offense, nonetheless, became just the third unit in the last 12 years to score on at least 75 percent of their drives against Andy Reid’s Chiefs. The Panthers also accumulated the highest estimated points added (EPA) per play of any team to lock up with the champs this season.
So, maybe that should count for something heading into 2025.
