Bryce Young hasn't faced much adversity this season. The Carolina Panthers quarterback was in the early NFL MVP conversation after a sensational start, but that momentum stalled in Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Now, Panthers fans are about to find out what Young is truly made of.
The Panthers had a lot of problems during their embarrassing blowout loss last time around. They also have a short week before clashing with the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football. But strangely, that might actually be a good thing.
Bryce Young must respond positively in Carolina Panthers' prime-time clash
Carolina didn't want to dwell too much on such a humiliating defeat. They get an instant chance to wipe the taste out of their mouths, and Young has to lead the charge.
One bad performance won't define Young's campaign.
He's been a revelation overall this season, looking much more comfortable with offensive coordinator Brad Idzik calling plays and fully in charge of the entire offensive operation. Last weekend wasn't his best showing, but you could say that about almost anybody.
This is the NFL. Everyone gets knocked down. Young knows that better than most after a turbulent start to his professional journey.
But it's all about how you get up.
The Panthers are 3-3. They still have everything in front of them, and their confidence in Young has not wavered.
However, he cannot let his blip at Bank of America Stadium become the start of something more concerning.
That would see the signal-caller creep back into old habits. Young's electrifying start was always going to slow down at some stage. He was playing too well for anything else, but how he responds is crucial.
Carolina Panthers will only go as far as Bryce Young takes them
And it will ripple through the entire team.
When Young is in tune and on form, the Panthers typically win. That wasn't the case in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, but it was true of all three of their triumphs this season.
When things don't quite click, everyone else seems to be off.
Young will be without right tackle Taylor Moton, who suffered a season-ending fractured fibula. Left guard Damien Lewis has also been ruled out of Thursday Night Football at Lambeau Field, which means he'll likely have to get the football out quickly and on time to his playmakers.
It won't be easy. But Young's back has been against the wall countless times throughout his four-year NFL career.
And he almost always comes out on the other end smiling.
Young is made of sterner stuff these days. He didn't roll over and accept his fate after being benched two games into head coach Dave Canales' tenure. He rolled up his sleeves, learned, and grew. This experience has served him well, and he will need to call on it with the prime-time spotlight glaring once again in Week 8.
Whether the Panthers win or not, Young will come out swinging.
And hopefully, that will be enough for Carolina to get back above .500 along the way.
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