Last Sunday, Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young demonstrated resilience after suffering an ankle injury during the team’s overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons. Young briefly left the field following a sack but returned without missing a snap, ultimately setting a franchise record with 448 passing yards.
Center Cade Mays described the moment: “I was over there snapping to Andy, and then when we went out for that next drive, Bryce was there in the huddle calling the plays. So that’s when I figured out, OK, he’s back. He’s good.”
Veteran right tackle Taylor Moton commented on Young’s return: “He’s a tough guy, no doubt.” Moton added, “I feel like he’s been tough, but he definitely showed his toughness this past weekend. I’m happy he’s able to come back in and finish the game for us, because I love playing with him.” He also noted that once Young rejoined the team in the huddle, “We went to business. He just has a laser focus about him. He’s very in his zone, his flow state, whatever that is, and he just came in, we went right back to work, and led us to a victory. I was excited to see him come back for sure.”
Receiver Xavier Legette offered a succinct assessment: “He’s a dawg,” while rookie Tetairoa McMillan recalled asking Young if he was alright upon returning: “‘You good?’ He’s like, ‘Yeah.’ So I was like, ‘Well, next time get your ass up.'”
Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu highlighted how Young’s actions inspired confidence among teammates: “It definitely sent a message like, if he feels like he can be out there, he’s going to be out there fighting for us… It’s nice to know that we’re all in the fight together.”
Veteran lineman Austin Corbett reflected on seeing this toughness from Young since his rookie year: “Maybe for the rest of the people; we see it all the time, so it’s no different. Like we know who he is… So this is just normal for us, right?” Corbett recounted an early moment of respect earned by Young during preseason: “Everybody did the collective, oh no, but I was like, oh wait, he’s fine… He’s QB one. He’s fine.”
The 2023 season saw significant challenges for Young and the offensive line due to injuries and frequent changes among coaches and play-callers. Mays said of those difficulties: “I mean, back to his rookie year, he’s been through hard times and has always been very resilient… I think it speaks to his character; he’s definitely a tough guy.” Ekwonu added: “No challenge is too big… It definitely speaks to his toughness and his perseverance.”
Young faced additional adversity at the start of 2024 with two difficult games followed by being benched—a situation Corbett said required mental strength beyond physical resilience: “For how young he is… When you’re a five-star quarterback in high school and you go to Alabama… it’s hard. And for him to manage that and go through that… You could tell he was obviously frustrated but every day was the same for him.”
Corbett explained how Young maintained professionalism during this period by excelling on scout team duties at practice.
Following ups and downs throughout his career so far—including both notable wins and losses—Young’s steady response has continued to earn respect within the team. Corbett concluded: “That’s what he has to be like; this game is too hard and it’s an emotional game for sure… For how quickly he’s done it at 24 or however old he is, it’s impressive.”
