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By Anne Erickson
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Bryce Young finally gave the Carolina Panthers something they could build on last season. After an up-and-down start to his NFL career, the former No. 1 overall pick took a meaningful step forward in 2025.
He finished the season with career highs across the board, throwing for 3,011 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while looking far more comfortable running Dave Canales' offense. It wasn't perfect. But, it didn't have to be.
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What was the best thing was that Young looked like a quarterback who was beginning to settle in. He played within the offense, made smart decisions with the football and rarely tried to force plays that weren't there. That's exactly what Carolina needed from him.
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His biggest strength continues to be what happens before the throw. Young processes defenses quickly, gets the ball out on time and has the accuracy to keep an offense moving when the protection holds up. He isn't the kind of quarterback who's looking for the home run on every snap. More often than not, he's willing to take what's available and keep the chains moving.
That's a valuable trait. There are still limitations, though, and they aren't going away.
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Young's size makes life more difficult when the pocket starts to collapse, and he doesn't have the overwhelming arm strength that allows some quarterbacks to make up for mistakes. There are throws other NFL quarterbacks can make that simply aren't part of his game.
That doesn't mean he can't win. It just means the Panthers have to continue building the right offense around him.
Carolina doesn't need Young to become the strongest-armed quarterback in football. It needs him to keep doing what he showed last season: making quick decisions, protecting the football and putting his playmakers in position to succeed. So, yes, the Panthers have reason to believe better days are ahead.
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