Training camp has revealed a different side of Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young.
Entering his third NFL season, he has shed his reserved rookie persona for something more commanding.
The evolution from quiet newcomer to vocal leader has caught the attention of teammates.
Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn has been watching this transformation up close and recently compared Young’s approach to an NBA basketball superstar known for blending skill with fierce determination.
“He kinda reminds me of Steph Curry a little bit. He’s a silent killer. He ain’t gonna say too much, but when I get under his skin, and hear the real him. I’m like, ‘OK, I know he’s a real dawg and a real killer,'” Horn said on “Up & Adams.”
“He kinda reminds me of Steph Curry a little bit” 👀
Pro Bowl CB Jaycee Horn and QB Bryce Young on how their rivalry helps sharpen each other ⚔️@heykayadams | @jayceehorn_10 @_bryce_young | @Panthers #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/C6z8FsGW8Q
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) August 1, 2025
The comparison goes beyond personality traits. Young has developed the precision and poise that define elite competitors.
After throwing for 2,403 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, he has embraced trash talk and taken control of the huddle in ways he had not before.
Young’s NFL journey hit turbulence early, including a benching last season.
But he has returned with renewed confidence under head coach Dave Canales, who has built an offense around Young’s strengths. The results are showing in practice, where teammates feed off his energy.
Horn and Young have developed an intense daily rivalry that echoes the Cam Newton and Josh Norman dynamic from years past, though with a modern edge.
Young’s leadership credentials are no longer in question among his teammates.
Horn, coming off a healthy season and with a fresh contract, relishes his role in pushing Young to new levels.
Their mentality has become a driving force behind Carolina’s improved practice intensity.
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