Full Breakdown
Derrick Brown Defends Bryce Young as Panthers Look Ahead to 2026
5/23/2026, 4:23:34 AM
Bryce Young’s Breakout and Playoff Return
In 2025, quarterback Bryce Young guided the Carolina Panthers to an NFC South title and a Wild Card appearance, posting career-highs of 63.6% completions, 3,011 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and 216 rushing yards with two scores.
Early Struggles and Turnaround
Drafted No. 1 in 2023, Young finished his rookie year with a 59.3% completion rate, 3,122 yards, 11 TDs, 13 INTs and a 2-16 record. After two poor games in 2024, head coach Dave Canales benched him for Andy Dalton, who later missed time due to a car-crash thumb injury. Young returned in Week 8, led a 2-1 finish to the season (612 yards, seven TDs, no picks), and built on that momentum in 2025.
Key Voices: Derrick Brown and Dan Morgan
Defensive tackle Derrick Brown, a 2020 first-round pick, praised Young’s work ethic on Chris Long’s “Green Light” podcast, calling him “our guy.” General manager Dan Morgan said the club plans to sign Young to a long-term contract “at the right time.”
Statistical Snapshot
2025: 63.6% completions, 3,011 yards, 23 TDs, 11 INTs, 216 rush yards. 2024: 59.3% completions, 3,122 yards, 11 TDs, 13 INTs, 0 rush yards.
Official Statements & Responses
The Panthers exercised Young’s fifth-year option, guaranteeing $25.904 million for 2027. Dan Morgan confirmed the intent to negotiate a long-term extension when appropriate. The team announced plans to defend the NFC South in 2026.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts and fans still cite Young’s early 2-16 record, low completion rate and high turnover as evidence of limited upside. Some argue his benching reflected insufficient readiness, questioning whether his 2025 surge can be sustained.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
One source says the Panthers’ last NFC South title was in 2017; another cites 2015. No source confirms which year is correct, leaving the exact date of the previous championship uncertain.
Impact and Outlook
Young’s 2025 performance positions him as the franchise quarterback, influencing the Panthers’ salary-cap planning through a guaranteed 2027 salary and a prospective long-term deal. The 2026 season will test his consistency as the team seeks to repeat as division champions and finalize his contract.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He took the benching and, man, he just came into work every single day and killed it,” — Derrick Brown
- “It might be the worst job to have. It's the highest-paying, but it is the worst job to have in the NFL.” — Derrick Brown
- “People don't want to admit how good he's becoming because they'd have to go back and admit how wrong they were,” — Derrick Brown
