Bryce Young’s QB Idol Revealed: He’s Been Inspired By This NFL Legend Since Childhood
Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young is still working to win over the NFL zeitgeist, but he took a step forward in 2024.
Bryce Young didn’t have the breakout season that he wanted. However, he did enough to leave more hope for Carolina Panthers fans at the end of 2024 than at the end of 2023. In his rookie year, Young was seen as the also-ran to Houston Texans rookie breakout CJ Stroud, winning just two games in 16 tries.
In 2024, however, he managed to win twice as many games in fewer tries. Last year, Young went 4-8, leaving a great final impression after hanging 44 points on the Atlanta Falcons. Just two weeks before that, he helped dump 36 points on the Arizona Cardinals.
Between those two performances, Young had plenty to feel good about in December. His Panthers even got within a touchdown of the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and their “simple” defense.
Young’s performance down the stretch even drew praise from former Panthers star Luke Keuchly. After seeing him ascend in the closing stages of the 2024 season, the quarterback looked back, recalling one quarterback he drew inspiration from.
Bryce Young names who he can’t fully copy
Speaking on a February 10 edition of “Gruden Goes Long,” Young explained that he drew some inspiration from one New York Jets quarterback. However, there were some things that translated to his game and some things that did not.
“There are definitely Aaron Rodgers things where you’re just like ‘that’s just him.’ I don’t think the footwork one is one of them though. There are definitely things when you watch.
“And there were a bunch of things when I was a kid, I was like, ‘I got to try’ and then now I’m like, ‘alright, some of that stuff can be taken. Some of that stuff, that’s Aaron. That’s him,’” he said.
Of course, Rodgers won just five games in 2025, leaving open the question of how much inspiration Young draws from the quarterback today.
Back in the day, when Young was around the age of 10, Rodgers was at his peak. His ability to throw the football while moving around the field was drawing national attention. He also won a Super Bowl around that time.
Back then, the question of Rodgers vs Brady was in its infancy, and Young was the perfect age to drink it all in.
2025 might be Bryce Young’s last shot
The Carolina Panthers have struggled for most of the time since they lost Super Bowl 50. At this point, with their opponent from that game, the Denver Broncos, turning things around, the pressure is on Carolina to match.
Young showed some flash to close the year, but if he has another quiet September and October, the Panthers might not have a choice but to turn the page at quarterback.
Of course, that doesn’t mean the general manager can turn the other cheek and put all of the onus on Young. The team still needs to do right by him to put the pieces around to help him succeed.
If they do this and Young continues the pattern of starting slow, it might then be time to turn the page once and for all. That said, the ball is still in Young’s court and he has all of the momentum. Will he capitalize in 2025?
