Not since the days of Cam Newton have Carolina Panthers fans chanted "MVP" to one of their own. But that all changed thanks to another exceptional performance from quarterback Bryce Young.
In the Panthers' first Sunday Night Football game in 11 years, Young showed the NFL just how far he's come. He was written off after being benched two games into head coach Dave Canales' tenure, but the resolve he's displayed since then has been nothing short of extraordinary.
That resolve has led him to lead the league in passing yards through four games.
Young faced a vulnerable Detroit Lions secondary. Even without the wide receiver duo of Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette, the former Alabama star made it work, turning in a clinical display that further cemented his claim as Carolina's long-term franchise player.
The conviction. The poise. The precision. The velocity. The ability to come through when the lights were brightest. Young ticked those boxes and more, and Bank of America Stadium fed off this with the prime-time lights shining.
Detroit had no answer for Young's connection with wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. They were unstoppable, connecting 14 times on 16 targets for 192 receiving yards and two touchdowns. It was the spark they desperately needed, and no adjustments stopped them from moving the chains.
Young sees the field superbly. He looks in complete control. He is showing supreme confidence, and he can now dictate the tempo with real ease.
That hasn't always been the case, but it's clear Young feels much more comfortable with offensive coordinator Brad Idzik calling plays. And when the Panthers need him to excel in the clutch, the nerves of steel and flawless composure come to the fore.
The Panthers have something in Young. It's perhaps taken longer than expected, but he looks like the real deal now.
And the MVP chants don't surprise those in the locker room.
Chuba Hubbard knows the turmoil Young has been through to get here. He's been around throughout all the ups and downs, watching the player fall to rock bottom before coming out on the other side. And there is nobody the running back would rather have alongside him in the backfield.
"I mean, he deserves it all. He's been through so much, and he's just continuing to work every single year. I've always said since Day 1, he's a one-of-one player. He does things that not everyone can do and it shows, so I'm just happy for him. I'm happy to have him as my QB."
This is precisely what the Panthers wanted to see from Young. They picked up his fifth-year option but held off on a longer-term commitment. General manager Dan Morgan and Canales wanted to see more, and they are getting it.
Young is playing better than arguably any other quarterback in the league right now, and four games is a pretty decent sample size to go off. He still has a long way to go, but if the trend continues, the Panthers will have no problem giving him the money.
He'll have earned it. And after this performance, the doubters who've ridiculed Young since he entered the league are now wondering what in the world happened.
Bryce Young performance grade: A
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