South Charlotte Today

Bryce Young, the quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, made a notable presence at this year's Super Bowl Radio Row in New Orleans. Unlike last year in Las Vegas, where his appearances were minimal, Young was actively engaging with media and fans alike. His increased visibility comes after a significant improvement in his performance from 2023 to the latter half of 2024.

Young's demeanor remains understated and polite. When asked if he feels perceived differently this year, he responded, "I wouldn't be able to tell you," adding that he doesn't think about it much.

Former Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme noticed subtle changes in Young's behavior similar to those seen on the field. Delhomme shared an anecdote about Young playfully interacting with him during their encounters at the event.

Delhomme also recalled a story involving former Panthers center Ryan Kalil as an example of how players grow into leadership roles over time. He compared it to Young's journey, noting that Young expressed feeling comfortable after key victories against teams like the Saints and Giants.

Throughout his numerous media appearances, including one on Nickelodeon's set, Young appeared at ease. Dan Patrick humorously referenced a photo of Young entering training camp with a backpack resembling a schoolboy look. Despite jokes about his height, which has been subject to scrutiny due to concerns over passes being batted down, statistics show he had only one pass batted down this season.

Young's basketball background often comes up in conversations. He once compared himself to Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland and fellow quarterback CJ Stroud to Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., showing his deep understanding of sports beyond football.

During discussions about recent NBA trades involving Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis, Young expressed surprise but acknowledged the unpredictable nature of professional sports.

Jonathan Stewart, another former Panther who interviewed Young during Super Bowl week, observed that Young is learning how to navigate media interactions better than before. Stewart emphasized the importance of embracing such experiences for personal growth and team representation.

Stewart sees parallels between Young's current situation and Cam Newton's early career challenges with media attention. He believes that as Young becomes more aware of his responsibilities as a professional quarterback, he's stepping out of any perceived shell.

The question remains whether Bryce Young's improved performance is due to increased confidence or vice versa. Stewart noted that since gaining trust in decision-makers and teammates through successful performances on the field, Young has shown significant progress both on and off the field.