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Bryce Young during a January 10 wildcard game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan lauded quarterback Bryce Young and his resilience just days after the Panthers were eliminated in the NFC wild-card round.
“He’s the type of guy, he’s never gonna complain,” Morgan said, according to a January 14 story in the Athletic. “He’s gonna go out there; he’s gonna practice. He’s gonna push through and that’s what you really respect about Bryce. He’s a tough dude. He’s a really tough dude.”
The Panthers rewarded their quarterback’s toughness and signaled long-term faith in him as a foundational piece by picking up the fifth-year option on Young’s rookie contract, Morgan told reporters.
Young, the first pick of the 2023 draft, enjoyed career highs in completion percentage (63.6%), yards (3,011), and touchdowns (24). Most importantly, he led the offense on six game-winning drives. Building on individual success, the organization now turns its attention to developing recent draft classes and how the team can support continued progress.
Morgan’s optimism looks to encapsulate the thoughts of the organization, especially those he considers a part of his young nucleus.
The Carolina Panthers’ Dan Morgan Preaches Patience in Developing Young Players
GettyCarolina Panthers GM Dan Morgan and QB Bryce Young.
Morgan emphasizes a patient, developmental strategy for addressing the 2024 draft class, reinforcing his vision that the team’s future success hinges on nurturing talent over immediate results. For many NFL teams, the draft remains a vital part of their construction process. In 2024, the Panthers selected seven players.
With flashes of standout play becoming infrequent, questions arise regarding how the team can fix the situation. Morgan addresses how he will manage the situation.
“We’re all so quick to judge these guys. And maybe they’re not developing as quick as the outside wants. But I think you’ve gotta be patient with these guys. I think you’ve gotta let ’em develop, you’ve gotta let ’em grow. So I think we take a patient approach with those guys.”
Jalen Coker’s Play Highlights 2024 Draft Class Struggles to Gain Traction
GettyCarolina Panthers wide receiver streaks away from Los Angeles Rams defenders.
At the top of the list, wide receiver Xavier Legette, drafted in the first round, hasn’t yet demonstrated the skillset the team expects from a No. 1 wideout. Coming out of the University of South Carolina, Legette brings all of the physical traits to the table. With his size (6’3″, 227 pounds) and speed (4.39 in the 40-yard dash), he profiles as a lead receiver on paper.
Nevertheless, Jalen Coker has apparently supplanted Legette as Young’s second receiver, illustrating how development and opportunities can reshape player roles. Coker, undrafted the same year, doesn’t own the same athletic palette, but according to Pro Football Reference, has not dropped a pass in 89 career targets, earning Young’s trust.
In 31 games with 25 starts, Legette has 84 catches for 860 yards and seven touchdowns. His 10.2 yards per catch, nine drops, and 56.8% catch rate have raised fan concerns.
Now that the season is over, I gotta say…man was I wrong about Xavier Legette. I thought this would be a breakout year for him, & that he’d help mentor TMac in Thielen’s absence. Instead, I think Coker surpassed him in effectiveness for our WRs.
— WBW (@HUCosell) January 13, 2026
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With their second selection of that draft, the Panthers chose Jonathon Brooks, running from the University of Texas. Scouts envisioned him as the back to eventually become the full-time starter. If not, he would provide the perfect compliment to Chuba Hubbard’s grinding style.
Injuries have hampered Brooks. Drafted while recovering from a college ACL injury, he suffered another ACL tear on December 8, 2024, against the Eagles. He has not played since.
Morgan believes the best path forward is a patient development approach for young players. The central question remains: can the Panthers meet raised expectations while adhering to Morgan’s vision of sustained success?
GettyPanthers RB Jonathon Brooks, sidelined since 2024.
Terrance Biggs Terrance started at heavy.com in January 2026
He is a veteran sportswriter with 12 years of experience, covering NFL, College, and MLB. Terrance has held positions at Sports Illustrated and Pro Football Sports Network. A graduate of Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s in Communication, he is also a voting member of the Football Writers Association of America, United States Basketball Writers Association and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. More about Terrance Biggs
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