Bryce Young continues to shows progress despite Carolina Panthers loss

Ryan McCafferty

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Bryce Young continues to shows progress despite Carolina Panthers loss image

There's not many moral victories in the NFL, but one team that should consider itself satisfied with recent progress is the Carolina Panthers.

Specifically, 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young is beginning to look like a respectable NFL quarterback.

Young, who was benched early on in the season, has been a different player since returning to the Panthers' lineup. On Sunday he threw for 191 yards and a touchdown, and made some impressive plays (notably the one above).

The Panthers have lost their past three contests, but they've all been one-possession games against teams currently in playoff positions. Two have been against teams -- the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12 and the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday -- that are considered Super Bowl contenders.

At 3-10, the Panthers aren't going to make the playoffs this season, but a considerable improvement next year could be in the cards if Young continues to progress. He's passed for at least one touchdown in every game since he was inserted back into the starting lineup, and has thrown only four interceptions.

Young, who early on in the season was written off as a failed draft pick, has been able to turn the narrative around to the point that it seems likely the Panthers will give him at least one more year to prove himself. It only goes to show that developing a franchise QB requires patience.

Ryan McCafferty

Ryan McCafferty Photo

Ryan McCafferty is a die-hard sports fan from Fairfax, Virginia. He has been a freelance writer for Sporting News since November of 2024, and before that contributed at Yardbarker for two years, mostly covering Washington-area professional teams. His primary interests include the NFL, NBA, NHL, and NASCAR racing, and though his local squads will always be number one in his heart, he considers himself a fan of the action above all else.