Bryce Young offers response to critics after Panthers' playoff trip

Some understandably wondered as recently as this past fall if quarterback Bryce Young could consistently play like a long-term answer at the position for the Carolina Panthers. 

While the Panthers ultimately lost three of their final four regular-season games, 8-9 Carolina claimed the NFC South division title via tiebreaker advantage. The Panthers then nearly stunned the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round of the playoffs. 

During a recent chat with Liam McKeone of Sports Illustrated, Young was asked if he had a message for critics who previously doubted him. Unsurprisingly to those who have followed the signal-caller's career, Young took the high road via his response. 

Bryce Young, Panthers have ignored outside noise

"I don’t individually, or us as a team, we don’t pay a lot of attention to outside noise," Young insisted. “I’m a fan of sports as well so I’m grateful for anyone who has an opinion. That means they care and support, which I appreciate. But for us, we (can) only afford to focus on the task at hand, focus on us and what we’re doing in the building. I appreciate that challenge."

Young has positively bounced back from being benched after a pair of poor outings to start the 2024 season. That said, one unnamed veteran personnel executive from another team and Hall of Famer Kurt Warner recently warned Carolina about signing Young to a lucrative multi-year extension this offseason. 

While there's no indication the Panthers are ready to break the bank for Young, Carolina general manager Dan Morgan confirmed in January that he intends to pick up the fifth-year option for 2027 attached to Young's contract. While speaking with Alex Zietlow and Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, Young discussed having that option exercised. 

Bryce Young still taking things "one day at a time" as Panthers QB1

"I never try to really never have any expectations," Young explained. "I’m very grateful, very blessed, try to take everything one day at a time. But just from my standpoint, I love the Carolinas, the Panthers organization. I’m super grateful and super proud to be a part of the team. I want to continue doing whatever I can to push myself so we can be in the best situation." 

Eventually, those running the Panthers will have to determine whether or not they view Young as a top-tier quarterback and as a player worth building around. For now, he shouldn't have much to worry about regarding his short-term future this coming spring or summer.