Bryce Young ‘Excited to Be Back’ With Panthers After Busy Bye Week

The Carolina Panthers didn't play in Week 5, but quarterback Bryce Young was busy. 

Young was in Tuscaloosa, where the former Alabama star served as the celebrity guest picker on College Gameday. Then he returned to Carolina for a meet-and-greet with fans. 

Young wrapped up his bye week with an appearance on the ManningCast, alongside Peyton and Eli Manning for Monday Night Football.

"It was good, some cool experiences, but you definitely miss, you miss football, you miss the locker room, miss everyone, so I'm super excited to be back," Young said on Tuesday. "But, again, it's really nice to be back; you miss a ball for the week. I don't want to say you take it for granted, but whenever you're able to have time away from it, it just makes you appreciate it more. So, all I know is I'm super excited to be back for this week."

Young is putting up outstanding numbers for the 2-2 Panthers. Through four games, he has 1,268 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, two interceptions, 19 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.

According to Next Gen Stats, Young has 411 pass yards under pressure, four passing touchdowns under pressure, 321 deep passing yards, seven passing touchdowns outside the numbers, 534 passing yards outside the numbers, 928 passing yards vs. zone coverage and 340 passing yards vs. man coverage.

The Panthers lost to the Chicago Bears in Week 1, defeated the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2, lost to the Cleveland Browns in Week 3 and beat the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football in Week 4. 

Young is making $12.1 million this season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. His fifth-year option is worth a guaranteed $25.9 million. Carolina picked it up in the offseason.

The Panthers didn't sign Young to an extension, so he has to play well again this season to earn one next offseason, and so far, he's setting himself up for a substantial payday. 

Young led the Panthers to the playoffs last season, where Carolina lost to the Los Angeles Rams in a wild-card game at home. It's been impressive to watch Young's turnaround in Carolina. Remember, Young was benched for Andy Dalton in 2024. When that happened, many people thought Young's days in Carolina were over. 

One reason Young is putting up strong numbers is Tetairoa McMillan. The 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year has 26 catches for 385 yards and two touchdowns in four games.   

Against the Lions, McMillan had 14 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns. 

Thanks to his Week 4 performance, McMillan is on pace to shatter last season's 70-catch, 1,014-yard mark. 

The Panthers face the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6. Let's see how Young and McMillan perform after having Week 5 off.

Young enters Week 6 with 9,559 passing yards and 58 passing touchdowns with the Panthers. His starting record is 16-32-0.