TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST


Carolina Panthers receiver Tetaroia McMillan extends past Tampa Bay defender Jamel Dean to catch a 22-yard touchdown  pass from Bryce Young in the Panthers’ 23-20 win at Bank of America Stadium. 

Arms spread wide, Bryce Young ran off the Bank of America Stadium field and targeted a group of fans sitting in the lower deck waving black towels.

After evading the diving grasp of Yaya Diaby, Young, playing on an injured right ankle, scrambled left to keep the play alive long enough for tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders to work his way open for a go-ahead touchdown pass. 

Young, who has endured multiple ups and downs during his three seasons in Carolina, embraced the moment.   

“That was an amazing environment,” Young said after leading the Panthers to a 23-20 against Tampa Bay on Sunday. “It affects the game.”

The win, the Panthers’ first against Baker Mayfield since they unceremoniously released him in the middle of the 2022 campaign, pushed Carolina into first place in the NFC South with two regular-season games remaining. 

If the Panthers (8-7) beat Seattle on Dec. 28 and Tampa Bay (7-8) loses to Miami, Carolina clinches the division. If next week ends up a wash, the Panthers will travel to Tampa Bay on Jan. 4 for a deciding matchup. The Panthers have not qualified for the playoffs since 2017.  

Panthers control NFC South fate  

The inconsistent Panthers have alternated wins and losses since Week 8, including relevant wins against Green Bay and the Los Angeles Rams. The trend continued Sunday. After a disappointing loss to last-place New Orleans a week earlier, the Panthers rebounded against Tampa Bay.

The Buccaneers, who have claimed four consecutive divisional titles, opened the season 6-2, appearing to be Super Bowl contenders. But since Week 9, they have won once. 

In a game featuring two quarterbacks who traveled a similar career path, Young topped Mayfield for the first time in five meetings.  

Mayfield identified with Young’s early struggles. When Carolina coach Dave Canales benched the 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick following two starts last season, Mayfield, the top pick in 2018, spoke up in support of Young.   

“Quarterback is hard, especially for young guys when you’re not surrounded with the pieces (and) not given the opportunity to have success,” Mayfield said. “A lot of times guys have the talent, they might have the brains, but they don’t have the right opportunity, the right fit.

“For Bryce, I can relate to this, finding that belief within yourself again. He’ll get it. His story is far, far from finished.”

But will it continue beyond 2026 with the Panthers? 

The Panthers must decide on picking up the fifth year on Young’s rookie contact. The Cleveland Browns, who drafted Mayfield, parted ways with Mayfield after his first four seasons in favor of Deshaun Watson. 
While Canales ignored the question three times during Sunday’s post-game press conference, Young attempted to direct his answer back to the team.  

“I’m 1-0,” he said, a common response indicating he doesn’t like to look too far ahead. “I’m trying to figure out how to win next week.” 

Has Young earned a fifth season? If the Panthers pick it up, he would make approximately $26.5 million in 2027. The five highest-paid NFL QBs make at least $53.1 million. 

“That’s out of my hands,” Young said.  

Mayfield moved on from Panthers 

Mayfield apparently holds little sentiment when it comes to his time in Carolina. He declined a mid-week interview request from media covering the Panthers. When he ran on the field for pre-game warmups Sunday, the crowd heckled Mayfield.  

After being granted his release by the Panthers following a 2022 season in which he won just one of six starts, Mayfield signed with the Rams and began rehabilitating his career. That summer, he entered free agency and signed a one-year, prove-it deal with Tampa Bay.    


Under Canales, who was the Bucs’ offensive coordinator, Mayfield established career highs in passing yards (4,500) and touchdowns (41) and guided Tampa Bay to the 2023 NFC South title and a playoff win. Mayfield earned his payday, signing a 3-year, $100 million contract and earned Pro Bowl nods during his first two seasons with his fourth team. 

“The challenge is he’s one of the great competitors in this league for certain,” Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero said Thursday. “He’s going to fight.” 

Mayfield, who threw a first-quarter touchdown pass to Mike Evans, finished 18-of-26 for 145 yards. His lone interception came on his final pass, a missfire that rookie safety Lathan Ransom dived to catch.   

“I have a ton of respect for him,” Young said. “We’re in the same division so I’ve been watching his tape … how he carries himself … the heart he plays with.” 

Young completed 21-of-32 passes for 191 yards two touchdowns, earning his sixth fourth-quarter comeback win this season and 12th of his career. Ryan Fitzgerald connected on the game-winning 48-yard field goal with 2:20 remaining.  

Following one of his biggest NFL wins, Young was asked how it felt to enter Week 17 in first place and in control of their postseason destiny. 

“It feels great,” he said. “There’s still a lot more football to be played.” 

The Panthers’ Week 17 game will have a similar “remember me” theme as former quarterback Sam Darnold, who has evolved into an MVP candidate this season, returns to Charlotte with the NFC-leading Seahawks.

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