For a team sitting at 3-8, there is more optimism around the Carolina Panthers than most bottom-feeders around the league. This is thanks in no small part to some notable progress in recent weeks.
After beating the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants before the bye week, the Panthers got a much sterner test of their credentials upon their return to action. The Kansas City Chiefs were overwhelming favorites at Bank of America Stadium. They needed a last-second field goal to get the job done after a much-improved performance from Dave Canales' squad.
Another primary reason behind Carolina's recent resurgence is the enhancements in Bryce Young's game. The former No. 1 overall selection looks like someone capable of becoming the team's long-term option under center. He's growing in confidence and making things happen. His performance versus the Chiefs was arguably the best of his professional career to date.
The signs are promising where the former Alabama standout is concerned. With this in mind, here are five Panthers players, including Young, with soaring stock after their encouraging Week 12 loss.
Carolina Panthers players with soaring stock after Week 12 vs. Chiefs
Bryce Young - Carolina Panthers QB
Bryce Young looks like a different player. You can see it in his overall demeanor. You can also see it by the way he's distributing the football and taking charge of the Carolina Panthers' offense.
Going toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes was the clearest sign yet that things are trending up at long last. Young's passionate rallying cry to the locker room raised eyebrows among his teammates and left no doubt he's evolving as a leader. Everyone is fully behind the Heisman Trophy winner, and Dave Canales is done playing mind games regarding his status.
This is a far cry from how things appeared earlier in the campaign.
A dejected, confidence-sapped Young was benched after just two games. Talk of being one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history and a potential trade soon followed. The second-year pro displayed tremendous resolve to bounce back and grasp his chance when it came again. Taking a step back might be the best thing to ever happen to him.
Building on this over the next six games is crucial. Young has the tools to get the job done in key moments. He's also got the support of everyone associated with the Panthers for the first time in a while.
Jadeveon Clowney - Carolina Panthers OLB
Jadeveon Clowney's underwhelmed since joining the Carolina Panthers in free agency. Being the only legitimate edge-rushing threat with D.J. Wonnum on the sidelines wasn't the easiest proposition. It came as no surprise to see him struggle as the focal point of opposing protection schemes.
Things have improved drastically for Clowney over the last two games. There's more balance to the defensive front seven thanks to Wonnum's availability. Having another dependable pass-rushing force on the opposite edge brought the former No. 1 overall selection out of South Carolina to life.
Clowney gained 1.5 sacks and two tackles for loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. This was his first quarterback takedown since Week 3 at the Las Vegas Raiders, more than doubling his output on the campaign. If Wonnum stays healthy and continues to produce, it would be a surprise if his veteran teammate didn't enjoy similar fortunes moving forward.
What the future holds for Clowney after this season is anyone's guess. But he's proving capable of doing damage in tandem if nothing else.
Jonathon Brooks - Carolina Panthers RB
It might seem strange to have Jonathon Brooks on this list considering he got just two carries against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, the fact he was on the field in a competitive setting represents a significant milestone nonetheless.
Brooks was out of action for a year after tearing his ACL at Texas during the 2023 season. It's been a grueling slog throughout his extensive rehabilitation. The Panthers took every possible precaution to ensure he was fully ready to hit the ground running. Although his involvement was brief in Week 12, he can take great confidence from taking full-speed physical contact after so long away from the gridiron.
Expect this trend to continue with Brooks over Carolina's remaining six regular-season engagements. The Panthers have Chuba Hubbard to shoulder a hefty burden. Bringing along the second-round pick gradually and taking things game by game remains the best route forward from head coach Dave Canales' standpoint.
Brooks should get increased reps as he becomes more confident. Providing there are no further issues, the Panthers can feel confident about deploying a legitimate one-two backfield punch in 2025.
Xavier Legette - Carolina Panthers WR
One costly mistake doesn't detract from the fact Xavier Legette is making encouraging progress. His drop following a dime from Bryce Young is one he'd like to have back, but the wide receiver is growing in stature and looks capable of becoming a potentially dominant long-term option moving forward.
Legette isn't the finished product just yet, far from it. He's slowly learning how to put his outstanding athletic attributes to good use in a competitive setting. There are some concentration issues to clean up, but the trajectory remains promising as chemistry continues to develop with Young.
The former South Carolina standout cannot dwell too much on this mistake. Legette will be an integral part of any success that comes the Carolina Panthers' way down the stretch. It's been a slow burn up to now, but trading Diontae Johnson and Jonathan Mingo was the biggest confidence boost imaginable. Taking advantage of it is crucial.
Legette has a 64.7 percent catch success on the season. He might not have hit the heights anticipated of a first-round selection just yet, but the ceiling remains incredibly high.
Sam Franklin Jr. - Carolina Panthers S
It didn't take long for Sam Franklin Jr. to win over Dave Canales. His infectious energy and glass-half-full approach are exactly what the head coach is looking to install across the franchise. Unfortunately for the safety and standout special teams ace, an injury in training camp meant he started the season on injured reserve.
Franklin took time to recover from surgery. His return in Week 8 at the Denver Broncos was a massive boost to the special teams unit. It took time for the former undrafted free agent out of Temple to find his football legs, but Sunday's effort versus the Kansas City Chiefs was his best of the campaign by a considerable margin.
To say Franklin jumped off the film on special teams would be an understatement. His relentless pursuit, explosiveness, and ability to provide physicality at the initial contact point were incredibly pleasing. He secured a career-high in special-team tackles with four, which is nothing more than the player deserved from his exceptional efforts.
If the same trend continues over Carolina's remaining six games, those in power would be wise to give Franklin another extension when the time comes.