Weeks 1 and 2 gave the Carolina Panthers the absolute worst version of Bryce Young they had ever seen. But now, one benching and four games later, they’re looking at the version of Young that they drafted with the No. 1 overall pick in 2023.
Sunday’s outing against the Kansas City Chiefs may have ended in a 30-27 defeat, but it was headlined by yet another impressive offering from the 23-year-old passer. Young threw for a season-high 263 yards and a touchdown in nearly leading his Panthers to the doorstep of an upset over the defending Super Bowl champions.
Young, after the game, was asked why he thinks he’s improved so vastly over the last month.
“I’m leaning on my teammates. I think it’s not just me, at all,” he replied. “I think we’ve all kinda come to our own within the system. Obviously, having more time to form our identity. All of us as a unit, I think are just starting to do that.”
The first two games of the campaign saw Young pass for a 55.3-percent completion rate, 245 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions over a pair of blowout losses. Since returning as the starter in Week 8, he’s completed 61.0 percent of his throws for 784 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions in four contests—where Carolina has gone 2-2.
And while the numbers are much better, Young is still very much focused on the bigger picture ahead.
“Again, didn’t do enough to get it done today,” he added. “So, still have a long way to go, a lot of things to clean up, a lot of things to get better at. But I think just all of us playing for each other, leaning on each other and having that time to come together, form our identity—we’re gonna keep continuing to work for that.”
Head coach Dave Canales, in his post-game presser, confirmed that Young will continue as the team’s starter into Week 13.
