Panthers GM Dan Morgan thinks Bryce Young is just getting started

Dan Morgan believes in Bryce Young.
Dec 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) and running back Raheem Blackshear (3) prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Dec 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) and running back Raheem Blackshear (3) prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
In this story:

Dan Morgan was not the Carolina Panthers GM when the team made the choice to trade up for Bryce Young. He is the GM who was tasked with fixing the team around Young and making that decision work after the fact. Scott Fitterer, the former GM who had Morgan as an assistant, left a mess for Morgan, and that included figuring out how to turn Young around.

One season after taking the job, Morgan seems to have done just that. His pairing with Dave Canales has helped reshape Young and revitalize this entire team, a team that had been pretty awful and uninspiring for years. The GM believes this is only the beginning for Young.

Dan Morgan loves what he's seen from Bryce Young

Dan Morgan had a tough choice to make. When Bryce Young got relegated to the bench, he had to figure out if he should cut his losses and trade the QB and reset for 2025, or wait it out. He opted to wait and let Young continue to develop.

It seems now that he finally has. "We all saw Bryce in college. He won the Heisman Trophy for a reason," Morgan said. "He's an electric player. He's somebody who can extend plays. He can hurt you with his legs, he can hurt you with his arm. That's the same Bryce that we saw at Alabama."

Bryce Young
Jan 5, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Fitterer, and to an extent Morgan as his assistant, were criticized heavily for taking Young, who struggled mightly even through Weeks 1 and 2 of this season, over C.J. Stroud, who made the Pro Bowl and the playoffs in his rookie season.

But now, the decision certainly doesn't seem like a glaring mistake. Morgan went on, "I'm just so proud of him for putting the work in, taking the coaching, and being the resilient player that he is. I think everyone saw on display what Bryce is capable of, not just [Sunday] but in previous games."

- Enjoy more free Panthers coverage with Carolina Panthers on SI - 

Panthers tight end has bold take after Bryce Young’s historic day

Former Panthers star shares urgent message for NFL free agents

Panthers projected to sign Cowboys QB to boost their backup spot

Tyreek Hill to Panthers? Robert Hunt puts on recruiting cap for Carolina


Published
Zach Roberts
ZACH ROBERTS

Zachary is a graduate of Southern Adventist University. He earned a degree in Mass Communication with an emphasis in Writing and Editing. He has covered sports, video games, entertainment and is a lifelong Carolina Panthers fan.