Bryce Young’s Confident Finish Caps a Tumultuous Season
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young concluded the 2024 season with a commanding performance against the Atlanta Falcons, culminating in a 44-38 overtime victory. His impressive display, punctuated by a nonchalant touchdown celebration where he turned away from the ball before it even landed, showcased a newfound confidence hard-earned throughout a challenging year. This victory not only secured a win against a playoff-contending Falcons team but also solidified Young’s position as the Panthers’ franchise quarterback.
Young’s journey in 2024 was far from smooth. After a disappointing rookie season that saw the Panthers win only two games and Young posting the NFL’s worst passing-efficiency rating among regular quarterbacks, he found himself benched after just two games. Veteran Andy Dalton took the helm until a thumb injury suffered in a car accident sidelined him in October. This injury provided Young with a second chance, and he capitalized, starting the final ten games of the season.
During this final stretch, Young displayed significant improvement, throwing 15 touchdown passes against six interceptions, and adding six rushing touchdowns. His performance against Atlanta was a highlight reel, showcasing his growth and mastery of the game. He completed 25 of 34 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns, adding another two touchdowns on the ground for a total of five touchdowns in the game. His career-high passing efficiency rating of 123.5 underscored his dominant performance.
His coach, Dave Canales, praised Young’s development, highlighting his ability to consistently deliver positive outcomes, whether through big plays, scrambles, or even simple throwaways. Canales’ initially playful, week-to-week assessment of Young’s starting position ultimately solidified into a definitive statement: “Bryce is our quarterback.” This declaration underscores the Panthers’ confidence in Young’s future, significantly impacting their approach to free agency and the upcoming draft.
Young himself remained humble, crediting his team and expressing gratitude for the journey. He acknowledged the unusual nature of his season, but maintained a positive outlook, emphasizing his belief in a divine plan. Despite the impressive statistics and the game-winning performance, Young emphasized the team effort, stating, “Super grateful for the stat line and all that, but in reality, it’s the team that makes that happen.” His journey from benched quarterback to leading his team to a significant victory against a playoff contender paints a picture of resilience and growth. The confident swagger displayed in his touchdown celebration served as a fitting exclamation point to a season of redemption.