Jan. 15, 2026, 6:04 p.m. ET
I have been skeptical of Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young for some time now. More so, his stature than anything, but he surprised a lot of folks, including me, this offseason with his play on the field, overcoming the odds, being fearless, and getting the Panthers all the way to an unlikely playoff appearance. I do believe that Young is here to stay and can be a consistent winner in the NFL.
Adding a veteran running back like Rico Dowdle boosted his confidence, and having rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan as a security blanket and weapon also gave him confidence. Do I think that he is Drew Brees yet? Well, no, but his physical limitations should no longer be in the discussion. With such a willingness to make plays, he has a much higher ceiling than he did previously, and Panthers fans should be excited for the future of this franchise.
The defense was flying around, swarming to the football, and looked like they were having fun. Winning will do that to you, and since they got a taste of success, I think that Bryce Young can lead this franchise for years to come. Next season will be the final year of his guaranteed contract, and he has proven that he has what it takes to win, especially if Carolina adds a couple more weapons.
Although there is still room for development, Young has come a long way from the benchings and boos that he received early on, but most of the doubters have been silenced.
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