Report: Carolina Panthers expected to stick with Bryce Young, not draft QB in 2025

The Carolina Panthers are not expected to draft a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft and, instead, will continue to invest in QB Bryce Young. On Sunday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport provided further details on the organization’s decision.

“They were 0-2, benched Bryce Young. The Carolina Panthers did, and I think everyone in the world assumed, ‘Well, that’s over.’ Not over,” Rapoport said. “In fact, now that he is back in the line and has gone 2-2, and really from my understanding, gone a long way in showing this Panthers organization why they took him No. 1 overall.

“He’s getting in and out of the huddle better. He is diagnosing defenses better. And simply, he is playing better as far as the future goes. From what I understand, do not expect the Carolina Panthers to draft a quarterback early next year. It does seem if Bryce Young [continues] to progress as he’s been, that he has earned the opportunity to be their starter next year.”

After a lackluster debut campaign in 2023, Young took a turn for the worse at the start of this season. In the first two games, Young completed just 31-of-his-56 pass attempts for 245 yards and zero touchdowns while throwing three interceptions.

The Panthers lost both games by a combined 60 points and the Panthers benched Young for veteran QB Andy Dalton. However, after Dalton suffered a sprained thumb, Young returned to the starting lineup in Week 8.

He didn’t allow the opportunity to go to waste, completing 24-of-37 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns compared to two interceptions. Although the Panthers lost 28-14 to the Broncos, Young’s performance gave the organization an inkling of hope for the future.

Young followed up the performance with back-to-back wins before narrowly falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in a 30-27 effort last week. In the loss, Young notched a season-high 263 passing yards and a score without throwing an interception.

On Wednesday, Panthers head coach Dave Canales discussed how he plans to reward Young for his recent improvement.

“Just the progress that we’re looking for as he continues to earn these moments, then, yeah, he’ll be in there,” Canales said. “And that’s what I’ve been most excited about is, is that there’s weekly growth that’s happening. And so, we’re just taking it a week at a time. I know that’s been my language, but he’s really taking responsibility for it and pushing us that way.

“And so, the bottom line is, he’s giving us a chance to win.”