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Hall of Fame quarterback proud of Bryce Young’s bounce back year

Dec 22, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks for a receiver against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Just two weeks into the 2024 season, Bryce Young appeared to be heading towards the abyss of No. 1 overall flameouts as he was benched by the Carolina Panthers.

Young, who had to battle through a rookie season which saw his head coach fired, offensive play callers altered three times, and severe deficiencies in supporting cast appeared to take several steps back even then at the start of his second season in the NFL.

But after weeks of sitting and being able to digest the new system under head coach Dave Canales, Young burst back out onto the scene and finished the remaining 10 games throwing for 2,104 yards, 15 touchdowns, six interceptions while capping off the season spoiling the Atlanta Falcons playoff hopes in an overtime win.

Especially early on in a quarterback’s career, being able to stick in and learn a system proves dividends which is something NFL hall of fame quarterback Peyton Manning knows a thing or two about especially in Young’s case.

“I think the fact that Bryce has finally gotten to a system that’s with Dave, and there’s some continuity to it, you saw him playing well,” Manning said on Saturday ahead of the Pro Bowl Games. “It frustrates me, as a quarterback that played in the same system for the first 14 years in Indianapolis, how much better that is for the quarterback. But when you tell a young quarterback, ‘I want you to learn Germain in your first year, Latin the next, and French in your third,’ that’s not easy.”

Young’s end of the season left many impressed as he showed some flashes as to why he was the top pick in the NFL Draft. 

Manning too had his own early career struggles which is why Young’s finish to 2024 left the two time Super Bowl winning quarterback proud.

“My rookie year, I threw 28 interceptions; it’s well documented,” Manning said. “But you kind of fixture it out the next year. So, I’m proud of Bryce for hanging in there. Like I said, my message to all organizations that are drafting young quarterbacks is to create some continuity around them. Hopefully, that includes having the same system for several years.”

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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77

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