As of July 2025, the Carolina Panthers' future hinges on Bryce Young's growth. Can he overcome a capped roster and veteran uncertainty to lead the team?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Welcome to the new era of Carolina Panthers football, an era defined by a single, tantalizing question: how high can Bryce Young fly? As the calendar flips to July, the buzz around the franchise is palpable, fueled by a poised young quarterback and a late-season surge in 2024. But for every ounce of hope, there's a dose of reality, from a veteran's uncertain future to an analyst's sobering prediction for the team's ceiling.
Looking forward, I do believe I have another contract in me. But right now my focus is on the 2025 season.
All eyes are on Bryce Young, and for good reason. The former top pick is being hailed as the catalyst for a potential franchise turnaround, drawing comparisons to the 2024 Washington Commanders' revival. Under the steady hand of head coach Dave Canales, who skillfully managed Young's development (including a tough but necessary benching last season), there's a belief that the offense is finally finding its rhythm. Young's growing confidence and leadership are the bedrock of the team's optimism, but as analysts caution, he can't do it alone. The supporting cast must prove its consistency for the Panthers' rebuild to truly take flight.
Pouring a little cold water on the hype, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer offered a tempered outlook on the eve of July 1. While praising Canales for stabilizing the ship after a 5-12 finish and commending the team's 4-5 close to 2024, Breer sees a roster that still needs significant work. He projects Carolina as an eight-win team at best, a ceiling that puts a damper on playoff dreams. For the Panthers to even flirt with a .500 record, Breer notes that young talents like Tetairoa McMillan, Nic Scourton, and Princely Umanmielen need to make an immediate impact. The message is clear: progress is being made, but the climb is steep.
While the future is bright with Young, the status of a franchise cornerstone is in question. Veteran right tackle Taylor Moton, the ironman whose 104-game start streak was snapped last year, addressed the retirement rumors head-on. Playing on the final year of a deal that will pay him $31.3 million, Moton affirmed his commitment to 2025 but left the door open for what comes next. 'I do believe I have another contract in me,' he stated, though the team seems content to let his deal expire amid concerns over recent injuries. For a player who has been a constant through turbulent times, his potential departure marks the end of an era.
Beyond the headlines, the Panthers are quietly focused on internal growth. The offense is integrating new pass-catchers to support Young, with veteran Adam Thielen providing a steady presence. In the backfield, Chuba Hubbard is running with renewed purpose after signing a four-year, $33.2 million extension and setting lofty personal goals. Meanwhile, the defense, a sore spot in 2024, is under pressure to rebound significantly. The quiet offseason signals a belief in the current roster, but it also places the onus squarely on the players and coaching staff to deliver on that faith.
As the team prepares for training camp, these storylines will be front and center. Can Bryce Young elevate the entire offense? Will this be the last ride for Taylor Moton in Carolina? And can the young guns and a rebounding defense push the team past its projected eight-win ceiling? The answers will start to unfold on the practice fields, where hope and reality will finally collide.
