The Carolina Panthers dropped to 3-8 following their Week 12 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, though Bryce Young kept things interesting City Chiefs, but Bryce Young kept the game close with a last-second 30-27 defeat. Despite the loss, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick posted a solid performance, completing 21 of 35 passes for 263 yards and a touchdown. This effort may have secured his role as the starting quarterback for the remainder of the season, marking a significant resurgence after being benched earlier in the year by head coach Dave Canales.
Young’s return to the starting role came after veteran Andy Dalton suffered a thumb injury, giving the rookie another shot at the top spot. Reflecting on Canales’ influence, Young shared his thoughts on his first-year head coach, who had previously been the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “He’s always doing a good job of giving his insights,” Young said. “He’s been around a lot of football and always has really good additions to the room. I trust him in the things that he sees, and we all lean on that.”
Young’s journey to reclaiming the starting role followed a tough start to the season. After being benched early on, the rookie regained his spot when Canales began assessing potential starting QBs. His performance against the Chiefs was impressive enough to earn him another start against the Buccaneers in Week 13. Young emphasized his focus on doing what’s best for the team, saying, “As a leader, as a quarterback, that’s always what I’m trying to do.”
Despite their challenging 3-8 record, the Panthers have reason for optimism. In addition to Young’s recent success, the team has built a strong group of skill players around him. If he continues to develop, the Panthers could become a team to watch in the near future.