Panthers’ Offensive Star Drops Retirement Bomb: Star Player’s Admission Sparks Panic
The Carolina Panthers are entering the offseason brimming with optimism despite finishing the 2024 season with a (5-12) record.
In the last quarter of the season — even though the Panthers only won two of their last eight games — there were significant “moral victories” even though most NFL players and coaches won’t admit they exist.
For the Carolina Panthers, determining if Bryce Young was the team’s future franchise QB was the biggest question — and now with the team preparing for another top five pick in the NFL Draft — the decision makers can look to add another weapon instead of seeking the answer under center.
Young slowly showed progress when he took over as the team’s starter again after getting benched two weeks into the season. He played well against the Chiefs, the Bucs and the Eagles, with the Panthers falling by one score or less in each of those contests. All three of those squads will be competing in the playoffs.
But the Panthers second-year QB put together his best performance when it mattered the most. In the final game before the end of the season, Young led Carolina to a 44-38 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons, who were desperately clinging to their playoff hopes. Young finished the game 25-of-31 for 251 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He added another five rushes for 24 yards and two touchdowns with his legs.
It was by far his best performance of the year and now the Panthers brass can add pieces around him this offseason.
One of Young’s most reliable targets may not be returning for another NFL season in 2025, though.
Veteran WR Adam Thielen just wrapped up his 12th year in the NFL and was asked by reporters if he plans to return next season.
Thielen gave a candid answer that leaves room for plenty of speculation based on his response.
