Bryce Young should be Panthers' starting QB next season

Young changed his career arc with his last five starts. The Panthers are 2-3 since Young returned as the starter after Dalton was injured in a motor vehicle accident.

While Carolina has lost its last two games against the Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6), Young has never looked better.

In Sunday's 26-23 overtime loss to Tampa, Young was 26-of-46 for 298 yards and one touchdown.

Young handled the Bucs' pressure well, including on the following 3rd-and-10 in the second quarter.

Buccaneers outside linebacker Yaya Diaby and middle linebacker Lavonte David forced Young out of the pocket, but the 2021 Heisman winner kept his eyes downfield and found tight end Tommy Tremble for a 38-yard gain. 

He stepped into the pocket and threw a dart to wide receiver Adam Thielen to give the Panthers a three-point lead with 30 seconds left in regulation.

In overtime, Young beat a seven-man Buccaneers rush on 3rd-and-10 with an excellent throw to Thielen, who made an even better catch.

Earlier this season, Young likely wouldn't have made those throws. He looked overwhelmed in his first two 2024 starts, going 2-of-10 when pressured against the Saints (4-8) and averaging 3.2 yards per attempt against the Chargers (8-4).

When head coach Dave Canales benched him, his Panthers career appeared to have reached an unceremonious end.

While Young has a long road to living up to his status as a former No. 1 pick, his in-season turnaround suggests he'll get the chance to in Carolina.

He's earned the opportunity with his improved play, but the Panthers also probably won't have a better alternative.

The 2025 quarterback draft class is underwhelming. The free-agent class could feature four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, but he'd likely be a one-year rental after considering retirement the past few seasons. And after a disappointing season with the Jets, would he even be worth the price tag or make sense on a still-rebuilding team?

The Panthers owe it to themselves and Young to give him the keys to the offense in 2025.

Carolina traded four draft picks and wide receiver D.J. Moore to the Bears for the pick it used to select Young.

In many ways, it needs Young to succeed. Based on the past couple of weeks, he still might.