Panthers’ biggest draft goal: Keep helping Bryce Young
Nineteen months ago, first-year head coach Dave Canales benched Bryce Young. In the moment, it felt like the former No. 1 overall pick’s starting days in Carolina could be over. Then Andy Dalton sprained his thumb in a car accident, thrusting Young back into the lineup. The youngster played significantly better in the second half of that 2024 campaign, and the Panthers rewarded him with the first-round selection of Tetairoa McMillan. With a true WR1 at his disposal, Young took another big step forward, allowing Carolina to win its first division title in a decade. Now the quarterback is heading into the fourth year of his rookie contract, a crucial season that could determine whether the Panthers hand him a nine-figure extension. Give the 24-year-old every chance to succeed by drafting a true batterymate at center and another playmaker at one of the skill positions.
