The Bryce Young Experiment Is Over: Panthers Need a New QB to Compete
As the Carolina Panthers approach the final stretch of the 2025 season, the future of their franchise has never looked brighter. Sitting at .500 with a 6–6 record, this team has shown considerable improvement, especially on defense under the direction of coordinator Ejiro Evero. Young playmakers such as rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan and free-agent acquisition Rico Dowdle are flashing potential, and the defense has made significant strides from last season’s dismal performance.
However, one glaring issue remains—quarterback Bryce Young. Despite the positive signs surrounding the rest of the roster, Young’s inconsistencies and troubling performance are holding the Panthers back from taking the next step. After being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the expectations were sky-high for Young to be the face of Carolina’s future. But with every passing week, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the Panthers need to make a tough but necessary decision: it’s time to move on from Bryce Young.
The Case Against Bryce Young
In Carolina's 20–9 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Young’s struggles were on full display. Despite the defense generating three first-half interceptions, Young managed to turn those turnovers into just three points, including a disastrous interception thrown from the 49ers' 1-yard line. His final stat line—18-of-29 for 169 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions—paints a picture of a quarterback who simply isn’t delivering when it matters most. While Young did have a moment of brilliance, throwing a 29-yard touchdown to McMillan late in the third quarter, his overall performance left much to be desired.
But what makes the situation even more troubling is that Young's numbers on the season tell an even bleaker story. In 11 starts prior to Monday night, Young has thrown for just 1,673 yards with 12 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. His average of 5.6 yards per attempt is among the worst in the NFL, and his poor decision-making continues to cost his team in crucial moments. While he dazzled in a Week 11 overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons with 448 passing yards and three touchdowns, that game was the exception, not the rule. In his other starts, Young has been consistently inefficient and turnover-prone, ranking dead last in key quarterback metrics like EPA (Expected Points Added) and success rate.
Panthers’ Playmakers Deserve Better
The Panthers' roster is filled with young talent that is primed to take a leap. The defense, once the worst in the league, has become a middle-of-the-pack unit under Evero's leadership. Dowdle has rushed for over 870 yards, and McMillan has been an immediate impact player, leading all rookies in receiving yards with 783. The offensive line, though still a work in progress, has improved, with the biggest issue now being pass protection, as they rank 27th in pressure rate allowed (38.4%).
But none of this matters if the Panthers can’t get consistent play at quarterback. Head coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan have invested too much time and resources into this rebuild to see it held back by poor quarterback play. The Panthers’ playoff aspirations—let alone any hopes of long-term success—are in jeopardy if Young’s struggles continue.
Time for a Change
As Carolina prepares for the future, the front office has a decision to make: should they stick with Young or look elsewhere? With the Panthers having their full complement of draft picks and no long-term financial commitments to Young—unlike the Dolphins with Tua Tagovailoa or the Cardinals with Kyler Murray—the timing is right for the franchise to pivot.
The Panthers need to act quickly. There are several promising quarterback prospects in the 2026 draft, including Fernando Mendoza of Indiana, Dante Moore of Oregon, and Ty Simpson of Alabama, any of whom could help take this team to the next level. If one of them is available when the Panthers pick, they should pull the trigger without hesitation.
The best news for the Panthers is that they’re not locked into a regrettable long-term deal with Young. Carolina can part ways with the 2023 No. 1 overall pick without being financially burdened, and in doing so, they open the door for a brighter future. The defense is already on the rise, and with the right quarterback under center, the Panthers have the potential to compete in the NFC South for years to come.
The Future of the Panthers
For the Panthers to realize their full potential, they need a quarterback who can lead this team to victory consistently. It’s clear that Young has not developed into that player, and with the future so promising elsewhere on the roster, Carolina can no longer afford to wait for him to find his rhythm. The Panthers must take this opportunity to turn the page and invest in their next quarterback.
The team is ready to compete now—it's time for the quarterback to match that ambition. If Carolina can find the right leader under center, the Panthers could be on the verge of a new era of success.
Chiefs Get Great News on Patrick Mahomes Before Cowboys Game
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are coming up on a high-profile game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Considering that the Cowboys just knocked off the Philadelphia Eagles, there’s extra excitement around this game.
When it comes to viewing numbers, these two teams are actually projected to break viewership records together. So, the Chiefs are going to need Mahomes and all of their best players healthy and ready for a showdown.
A slight panic broke out earlier this week when Mahomes was included on the Kansas City Chiefs’ injury report. In the team’s initial Week 13 injury report, which dropped on Monday, November 24, Mahomes was included as having a groin injury. But according to the team, the injury report was an estimation, as the Chiefs “held a walkthrough practice,” so Mahomes didn’t technically miss a true practice. Still, it was a disconcerting development right before a big game.
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Injury Status
Mahomes had a solid game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, November 23. He threw for 352 yards and leading three scoring drives on Kansas City’s last four possessions, according to NFL research.
Now, he’ll be back to do it again against the Cowboys. Mahomes wasn’t listed on the Chiefs’ injury report for Wednesday, November 26, so he’ll be ready to go up against Dallas. The other players that will also be healthy and ready to compete are Isiah Pacheco, Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, so that’s a lot of fantastic news.
On the darker side of things, as expected, Trey Smith and Noah Gray will both miss the game. Chris Roland-Wallace’s back injury took a turn for the worse on Tuesday, November 25, so it’s not a surprise that he has also been ruled out.
So, looking at the total picture, it’s huge that Mahomes, Pacheco, Rice and Worthy are all healthy and able to compete. It’s just in time, too, for this game against the Dallas Cowboys where all eyes will be on these legendary franchises.
Patrick Mahomes Makes History During Kansas City Chiefs Game
During the Chiefs’ game against the Colts on Sunday, Mahomes made history. During the second quarter of the game, Mahomes hit 35,000 career passing yards, making him the fastest player in NFL history to achieve that honor. The NFL took to X to announce the news during the game, and the Kansas City Chiefs followed with their own announcement.
It’s just the latest honor in his length career that’s been packed with awards. To date, Mahomes has earned two NFL MVPs, three Super Bowl MVPs, three Super Bowl titles and six Bro Bowl selections.
After the win over the Colts, Mahomes thanked the fans. “There was a feeling that you had in Arrowhead. You could see the fans were behind us,” he said. “They didn’t hang their heads because it was a fumble. They said, ‘We’re gonna be with y’all through the end, through this all.’ I thought that was really cool. You could feel that momentum swing in our favor, even after a bad play for us.” Let’s bring that momentum on Thanksgiving.
