Fans of the Carolina Panthers haven't had much to root for these last seven years. Rare highs have been overshadowed by losing season after losing season, combined with long-time fan-favorites leaving over and over for often mediocre compensation.
Only the Jets (who don't even count) have had a tougher run.
Even off the field there's dysfunction for Carolina, as the franchise's two greatest players - Cam Newton and Steve Smith - are currently in a feud, while Newton remains officially estranged from the organization.
Maybe that's what made this week's words of confidence from Newton for Bryce Young seem like such a big deal. Here's how BY9 reacted when he was asked about hit at Thursday's presser.
Bryce Young on Cam Newton giving him props on his performance. #Panthers pic.twitter.com/tmtPzGgrYW
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) November 20, 2025
Young's 448 passing yards in Sunday's win over the Atlanta Falcons are a new team record for a single game. That pushed Young past the record Newton set back in his rookie year when he threw for 432 yards in such his second start as a pro.
While Young's second monster game against the Falcons was impressive, it's also becoming part of a pattern. Young now holds a 4-1 record against Atlanta, but he's just 8-25 against everyone else.
For Young to take that next step he needs to start having games like this past week more often - starting with Monday night's road matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. If Young is ever going to have a true arrival moment in the NFL that establishes himself as a franchise QB on a big stage, this might be the best opportunity he's going to have.
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