Bryce Young’s impressive performance in Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs, despite the Carolina Panthers’ narrow 30-27 loss, has sparked renewed debate about the team’s earlier decision to bench him. Young’s resilience and growth against the defending Super Bowl champions have raised questions about the optimal development path for young quarterbacks in the NFL.
Alt: Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young #9 warming up before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Young completed 21 of 35 passes for 263 yards and a touchdown, adding 20 rushing yards. This strong showing against a formidable Chiefs defense has validated arguments for allowing young quarterbacks to learn on the field.
Young’s Early Season Struggles and the Dalton Decision
Young’s rookie season was marked by inconsistency, with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. After two challenging games to start the 2024 season, the Panthers opted to bench Young in favor of veteran Andy Dalton. This decision divided opinions across the league, with some advocating for continuous playing time for young quarterbacks, while others believed a temporary benching could foster growth.
Alt: Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young #9 running with the ball during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Panthers’ move to Dalton resulted in a mixed bag of results, further fueling the debate surrounding Young’s development. The team’s performance under Dalton didn’t significantly improve, leaving many to wonder if Young would have been better served by remaining the starter.
The Case for Playing Time: Young’s Recent Resurgence
Young’s return to the starting lineup has coincided with a noticeable improvement in his play. In his four starts since returning, he’s thrown five touchdowns against three interceptions, boasting a passer rating of 83.45. This resurgence suggests that consistent playing time, even amidst early struggles, can be crucial for a young quarterback’s development.
Alt: Carolina Panthers quarterbacks Andy Dalton #14 and Bryce Young #9 warming up before a game.
This recent success has reignited the discussion about whether benching Young was the right move. While the intention might have been to protect him and allow him to learn from the sidelines, his improved performance suggests that on-field experience is invaluable.
JJ Watt Weighs In: The Importance of Patience
Former NFL star JJ Watt publicly supported the argument for patience with young quarterbacks following Young’s performance against the Chiefs. Watt emphasized the importance of allowing young players to develop and grow through experience, even if their initial performances are not stellar. He highlighted that Young’s game against the Chiefs, while statistically modest, demonstrated significant growth and resilience against a top-tier defense.
This sentiment underscores the long-term perspective required in evaluating young quarterbacks, recognizing that immediate success is rare and that development takes time and consistent opportunity.
Conclusion: The Ongoing QB Development Debate in Carolina
Bryce Young’s strong performance against the Chiefs has revitalized the conversation surrounding his development and the Panthers’ quarterback situation. While the initial decision to bench him was met with divided opinions, his recent progress highlights the potential benefits of allowing young quarterbacks to learn and grow through on-field experience. The debate is likely to continue as Young’s career progresses, but his Week 12 performance served as a powerful reminder of the importance of patience and the potential upside of allowing young talent to flourish through consistent playing time.
