The Carolina Panthers are gearing up for the 2026 NFL season, and defensive tackle Derrick Brown is staunchly defending quarterback Bryce Young against his critics. As seen in a trending post on r/nfl, Brown made his comments during an appearance on the "Green Light with Chris Long" podcast.
Why it matters: Brown’s support comes at a time when discussions about Young’s future in Carolina are heating up. His performance in 2025 helped the Panthers secure their first playoff berth since 2017, but skepticism remains among some fans and analysts.
- Brown emphasized the importance of Young’s development, saying, "He’s our guy, and we ride with [No.] 9 all the way through." He believes many are hesitant to acknowledge Young’s improvements.
- Young, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft, recorded career highs in passing yards (3,011) and touchdowns (23) last season, leading the Panthers to an 8-9 record and the NFC South title.
- Brown pointed out that admitting to being wrong about Young is difficult for some, stating, "People don’t want to admit how good he’s becoming because they’re going to have to go back and admit how wrong they were."
Driving the news: Young's path to success has not been without challenges. After a rocky start to his career, he was benched early in the 2024 season following two poor performances. At that point, he had a 2-16 record with a completion rate of just 59.3%.
- During Young's benching, veteran quarterback Andy Dalton stepped in and helped stabilize the offense, but an injury to Dalton allowed Young to reclaim the starting role in Week 8.
- Upon his return, Young finished the 2024 season strong, throwing for 612 yards, 7 touchdowns, and no interceptions over the final three games.
- In 2025, Young's performance improved significantly as he guided the Panthers to a Wild Card berth, marking a turning point in his career.
State of play: The Panthers have exercised Young's fifth-year option for 2027, guaranteeing him a salary of $25.904 million. This decision reflects the team's belief in his potential and sets the stage for possible long-term negotiations.
- General manager Dan Morgan has indicated that the team will evaluate Young's performance in 2026 before committing to a long-term deal.
- Young’s ability to build on his success will be key, as the Panthers aim to defend their division title and make a deep playoff run.
- Brown has consistently praised Young’s professionalism and work ethic, especially after overcoming adversity following his benching.
The big picture: Young's growth as a quarterback is not just about statistics; it's about resilience. Brown highlighted Young's determination to improve, saying, "He took the benching and, man, he just came into work every single day and killed it." This mindset has earned him respect within the locker room.
- Brown noted that being an NFL quarterback is an incredibly challenging role, stating, "I would never want to be a quarterback in the NFL. It might be the worst job to have. It’s the highest-paying, but it is the worst job to have in the NFL."
- Young's success will depend on his ability to handle criticism and continue to develop his skills, particularly in making big plays downfield.
- Last season, Young earned the NFL’s top passing grade (99.7) on throws of 20 or more yards, indicating his potential for explosive plays.
What they're saying: Brown's comments resonate with many teammates and fans who see Young as a burgeoning talent. His ability to silence critics and lead the team is becoming a focal point for the franchise's future.
- Brown expressed admiration for Young's ability to navigate external pressures, stating, "I salute Bryce every single day, just dealing with all the outside noise and then still being able to come in there and be efficient in the work."
- As the Panthers prepare for offseason workouts, the focus will be on how Young can build off his successful 2025 campaign.
- Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Young can continue to improve, particularly in a season where expectations are higher than ever.
By the numbers: Young's statistics from the past two seasons show his upward trend as a quarterback.
- In 2024, after returning from his benching, Young threw for 5,115 yards, 38 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions over 26 starts.
- His completion percentage increased to 63.6% in 2025, a notable improvement from previous years.
- The Panthers' 8-9 record in 2025 was enough to earn them a playoff spot, a sign of progress for the team.
What's next: As the Panthers enter the offseason, attention will turn to Young's performance during workouts and training camp. The upcoming season is seen as a make-or-break year for the young quarterback.
- With the Panthers expected to play three prime-time games, Young will have opportunities to showcase his abilities to a national audience.
- Brown's unwavering support may bolster Young's confidence as he aims to prove his doubters wrong once and for all.
- The Panthers are counting on Young to lead them to another division title and to a deep playoff run, making this season critically important for both him and the franchise.
This article is grounded in a discussion trending on Reddit. Claims from the original post and comments may not reflect independently verified reporting.