A friendly but fierce rivalry is starting to take shape within the Carolina Panthers, one that could help elevate the team’s performance in the coming season and beyond. For the first time in a while, the Panthers have a spirited back-and-forth brewing between a franchise quarterback and a lockdown cornerback.
Bryce Young and Jaycee Horn have been pushing each other throughout offseason workouts and that competitive energy was on full display during the opening day of mandatory minicamp. There’s been plenty of trash talk, intense competition, and a strong sense of mutual respect. While it hasn’t reached the fiery levels of the past Cam Newton and Josh Norman battles, the dynamic between Young and Horn is energizing both players and creating a buzz that others on the team can feed off as the summer wears on.
Panthers’ In-House Rivalry is Heating Up
Dave Canales Addresses the Budding Rivalry
Head Coach Dave Canales addressed the rivalry after practice, pointing to Young’s increasing confidence and mental toughness as key drivers of his spirited exchange with Horn. He added that both players seem to be thriving under the pressure, using the rivalry to sharpen their skills ahead of the 2025 season.
“Honestly, it gets really animated. He (Bryce Young) just has that defiance to him. That’s just his way of competing, you know. He’s not super animated with it, but he definitely thrives off of that, feeds off of that energy, and he takes his chances when he can because Jaycee’s trying to bait him into throwing the ball over there.”
Iron Sharpens Iron
Horn has noticed a clear shift in Young this offseason. The quarterback’s growing confidence and comfort as he heads into his third year has sparked a fire, one that Horn is embracing wholeheartedly. The added edge from Young is pushing Horn to elevate his own game, and he’s more than ready for the challenge.
It’s a classic case of iron sharpening iron. Their daily battles are not just raising their individual levels but setting the tone for the entire team. This kind of healthy competition is contagious, it motivates others, increases intensity in training, and adds a much-needed sense of urgency to the Panthers’ preparations.
Bryce Young Outlook
Young’s second NFL season was a roller-coaster ride, but it ended on a high note. Benched after two poor games to start the 2024 season, Young returned as Carolina’s starting quarterback in week seven and gradually showed improvement. Over his final three starts of the season, he completed 64.8 percent of his passes for 612 yards, with seven touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a QB rating of 111.6. Young also had five rushing touchdowns in his final six games.
Canales has a good track record with young quarterbacks and his continued work with Young could pay off in 2025. Pass-catching weaponry has been an issue for Young in the past, but the Panthers spent the eighth overall pick of the NFL Draft on highly regarded wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Look for Young to carry his momentum into the 2025 season.
Jaycee Horn Outlook
Horn agreed to a four-year extension during the offseason, locking him in with Carolina through 2028. Drafted eighth overall in 2021, Horn has just played 37 games across four seasons but broke out in 2024 with 15 games, 68 tackles, 13 pass breakups, and two sacks, earning him his first Pro Bowl nod.
Horn’s extension cements his role as Carolina’s top corner. He is also expected to take on more of a leadership role within the team, which is exactly what he has done so far. In 2024, Horn was particularly good in man coverage posting a Pro Football Focus grade of 78.9 and he was ranked among the top cornerbacks in the league. He also held quarterbacks to a 42.9 percent completion rate on passes of 20+ air yards, demonstrating his ability to limit big plays. At 25, he’s poised to become one of the top cornerbacks in the game if he can shake his injury history.
Former First-Round Picks Are Leading By Example
Both Young and Horn are former first-round picks with high ceilings and are viewed as foundational pieces for the franchise. Their development and leadership will be critical to any success Carolina hopes to achieve in the near future. As long as their rivalry stays respectful, it’s nothing but a positive force. Even if tensions flare now and then, that’s all part of the process.
Ultimately this is about the Panthers getting better. Young and Horn are leading by example with a competitive spirit and a drive that’s impossible to ignore. If this is the new standard in Carolina, the future looks bright.
Main Image: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
