The Carolina Panthers benched quarterback Bryce Young just two games into his second NFL season. However, five months later, the former Alabama All-American has not only regained his place in the team’s plans but is also being consulted on the franchise’s future.
During a Super Bowl Week appearance on Up and Adams on FanDuel TV, Young spoke about his growing relationship with general manager Dan Morgan.
“He’s always asking me stuff,” Young said. “He wants me to send him things and give him my opinion, which I’m super grateful for. Having that open line of communication and being included in things means a lot. That goes a long way for me. He’s done a great job, so I’m super grateful for that.”
Young spent five games as Andy Dalton’s backup after being benched but returned to the starting lineup after Dalton suffered a thumb injury in a traffic accident. Young resumed his role in a 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos on Oct. 27 and remained the starter for the rest of the season.
Carolina struggled early, winning just one of its first eight games in 2024 after a 2-15 campaign the year before. However, the Panthers showed improvement in the second half of the season, securing four wins in their final nine games. During that stretch, Young threw for 1,880 yards with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions while adding 217 rushing yards and five scores on the ground.
This late-season progress earned Young strong endorsements from Morgan, head coach Dave Canales, and team owner David Tepper as the Panthers build toward 2025.
“It means a lot,” Young said. “Just knowing how to operate, how to move forward, and getting that confidence from the organization, I’m super grateful for that. Now it’s about translating that into success as a team.”
Young emphasized the team’s collective commitment to improvement.
“I’m super excited because we all understand the work it’s going to take, and we’re all ready for it. We all have the mindset of wanting to get better throughout the offseason and continue to grow. I’m all in. Everyone’s all in. I’m just grateful to get back to work.”
Young closed out the 2024 season on a high note, delivering a standout performance in Carolina’s 44-38 overtime victory against the Atlanta Falcons on Jan. 5. He became just the second player in the NFL that season—alongside Buffalo Bills MVP quarterback Josh Allen—to record three passing touchdowns and two rushing scores in a single game.
“We wanted to finish on our own terms,” Young said. “Coach Canales always talks about finishing—it’s a mantra for us. Knowing that was our last game, I was proud to be part of a team that didn’t check out early. No one lost focus, and we battled until the end. Pulling out an OT win meant something to everyone.”
Now, Young is eager to get back on the field for the 2025 season.
“You get used to Sundays—the lights, the competition, everything you work for,” Young said. “And then suddenly, it’s over, and you’d do anything to get back out there with your team. But for now, it’s about putting in the offseason work so when the time comes, we’re ready to go.”