Despite enduring one of the worst records in the NFL, former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers have plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future.
Young’s rookie season was filled with ups and downs, including a brief benching before reclaiming his starting role. However, during his second stint as the starter, he began showing signs of real progress, giving fans and analysts renewed hope.
With each passing week, Young demonstrated steady improvement—a reassuring sign for Carolina’s coaching staff, who had invested heavily in his development.
“Each week, there was improvement,” Panthers head coach Dave Canales said at the NFL Combine. “If you can just get one week better over time, imagine how good you can become.”
By the end of the season, Young had made notable strides in the mental aspects of quarterback play. His development in practice and live game situations played a crucial role in his growth.
“He can just stand in there and play good football,” Canales added. “Watching his weekly progression was really encouraging.”
Young also earned the admiration of his teammates and coaching staff. His demeanor and confidence noticeably improved by the season’s end, compared to the frustration he showed during his brief benching.
Additionally, he became more vocal both on the sidelines and in the huddle, further cementing his leadership role. His increased presence contributed to his late-season success and was a major reason for the optimism surrounding him.
“I have a lot of appreciation for the way Bryce embraced a leadership role and made an impact in the locker room,” Canales said.
There’s no longer any doubt that Young has the full respect of his teammates, and his reputation around the league is growing. Despite finishing with a 5-12 record, the Panthers believe they have one of the NFL’s most promising young quarterbacks.
“I’m sure everyone around the team could feel it—this guy is real,” Canales said. “I’m excited heading into the offseason knowing we have our quarterback.”
Many quarterbacks, regardless of experience, are quickly written off after struggling early. When Young was benched in Week 3, it seemed like he might be facing a similar fate. However, his behind-the-scenes development convinced Canales to trust him again.
“Just take it week-to-week,” Canales said. “It’s a daily process of improvement, and that applies to every position, especially quarterback.”
During his time at Alabama, Young amassed 3,328 career passing yards with 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He started for two seasons (2021-2023) and led the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2021-22, where they fell to Georgia 33-18.
After enduring early criticism, Young has changed the narrative surrounding him. As the Panthers continue to build around him through the draft and free agency, his future looks increasingly bright.