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Who is Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young?
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young had a rough start to his NFL career, but rebounded in such a way to offer real optimism heading into year three.
DAZN News looks back at Young's career to date and considers what lies ahead for him in the coming seasons.
Heisman Trophy winner in college
Young went to high school at Mater Dei High School, where he threw for 13,520 yards and 152 touchdowns.
That caught the attention of some of the biggest colleges in the country, and having initially opted for USC, Young changed his mind and joined Alabama.
After a season behind now-New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, Young had one of the best sophomore years of all time in 2021.
In that year, Young notched up 4,872 yards for 47 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions, as well as adding three touchdowns on the ground.
That led to him winning the Heisman Trophy - awarded to the most outstanding player in college football - as well as several other awards.
In his junior year at college, Young led Alabama to an 11-2 record before announcing he would be entering the 2023 NFL draft.
Where was Bryce Young selected in the NFL Draft?
Approaching the 2023 NFL Draft, there were several teams in need of a new franchise quarterback, and the Chicago Bears held the number one overall pick.
Bears starting quarterback Justin Fields impressed in 2022, so Chicago was open to offers from other franchises should they want to trade up to have their pick of the quarterbacks.
Young was not guaranteed to be the first quarterback off the board; C.J. Stroud and, to a lesser extent, Anthony Richardson were both expected to go in the initial picks.
But the Carolina Panthers wanted Young, and they gave up a lot to go and get him! In total, the Panthers traded the Bears their 2023 1st, 2023 2nd, 2024 1st, 2025 2nd, and their best wide receiver, DJ Moore .
NFL career so far
The trade for Young put enormous pressure on the quarterback's shoulders, and he struggled out of the gate, passing for only 11 touchdowns and fewer than 3,000 yards while throwing 11 interceptions in his rookie year.
The start of his second year in 2024 wasn't much kinder, as he completed only 56% of his passes and threw three interceptions in the opening two games before getting benched .
Young reclaimed the starting job in late October and finished the year with 15 touchdowns to 9 interceptions, but it was his performances toward the end of the year that hinted at why he may become the player the Panthers envisaged when they gave up a haul to select him first overall two years prior.
Young was electric over the final three-game span. He completed 64% of his pass attempts, threw seven touchdowns and zero interceptions , and helped the Panthers win two of their five victories for the year.
Career outlook
The Panthers have surrounded Young with what should be a far stronger supporting cast in 2025. They used the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on wideout Tetairoa McMillian , a prospect with the tools to emerge as a top-tier playmaker early on. Second-year tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders built momentum with a promising rookie season, while Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette add upside alongside veteran receiver Adam Thielen.
If Carolina's offensive line can better protect Young, he could build on the momentum he gained toward the end of last season and have a breakout campaign in 2025.
Young's career will forever be compared with that of C.J. Stroud, the quarterback taken one spot after him in the 2023 NFL Draft , and to this point, the more accomplished of the two, but the gap could close quickly if Young meets expectations this year.
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