Since the year 2000, there have been 820 qualified quarterback seasons, and none experienced a greater performance increase than Bryce Young in 2024 as evidenced by EPA per play. This stark contrast showed that he improved vastly over the final three games compared to the earlier part of the season.

Young wrapped up last season impressively, achieving 10 touchdowns and zero turnovers over the last three games, attaining the fourth-highest EPA per play (0.34) during that stretch, despite starting poorly.

He had a pivotal moment in Week 12, tying the Chiefs after trailing by 11 points in the fourth quarter. Although the Panthers didn’t win, it contributed significantly to Young’s growth throughout the season, with many final games being closely contested.

Ultimately, the questioning lingers—was this late-season performance a flash in the pan, or can Young consistently channel this level of play in upcoming seasons?
[Additional Reading: The performance of quarterbacks in similar scenarios shows varied outcomes, some leading to breakout seasons while others floundered.]