Bryce Young
TheCarolina Panthers preseason opener against theCleveland Browns had all the elements of August football: a slow first series, a sideline scuffle, and flashes of promise. But amid the noise,Bryce Young delivered exactly what fans wanted to see: efficiency, confidence, and the kind of command that turns a preseason game into a glimpse of something bigger.
In just 12 snaps with the starters, the third year quarterback went from a shaky three and out to orchestrating a polished touchdown drive. Young looked comfortable, decisive, and eager to stretch the field, giving the Panthers and their fans an encouraging preview of what a full season under head coach Dave Canales might look like.
A Drive That Changed the Energy
Bryce Young
GettyPanthers Offense Tests New Look Without Key Starter.
Bryce Young’s first possession ended abruptly, with a third down sack coming from the spot typically anchored by starting guardDamien Lewis, who sat out the game. BackupJa’Tyre Carter got the nod in his place, and early protection wasn’t ideal. But when Carolina got the ball back, Young flipped the tone completely.
He opened the second drive by uncorking a perfectly placed 30 yard strike to rookieTetairoa McMillan down the right sideline. That energy was briefly interrupted when, two plays later, apost whistle altercation between second year receiverXavier Legette and Browns cornerbackRayshawn Jenkins led to punches being thrown. Officials ejected both players, but Young calmly regrouped the offense instead of letting the chaos derail momentum.
Poise Under Pressure
Bryce Young and Jalen Coker
GettyRookie Receiver Gets His First Big Home-Crowd Moment.
Following the ejection, Bryce Young narrowly missed a touchdown pass to McMillan, who quickly pointed back with a thumbs up to take the blame. Then on the very next snap, he rolled right under light pressure and fired a dart toJalen Coker streaking across the back of the end zone for six.
“Jalen’s someone we all have a ton of trust in, and he’s played on the biggest stages,”Young said afterward. “He was big for us last year. He’s going to continue to be big for us.”
By the time Canales pulled the starters, Young had completed 4 of 6 passes for 58 yards and a touchdown, good for a 137.5 passer rating. More importantly, he did it without his full complement of starting linemen or receivers, adjusting seamlessly to shifting circumstances and finding ways to make plays against the Browns second unit.
Preseason stats can be deceiving, but context matters. Young not only shook off early pressure, he did it while building chemistry with new and young targets, managing in-game adversity, and making it look effortless.
“Offseason is so long you forget how much you miss playing this game,” Young said. “Definitely a blessing to be able to be out here with the best fans in the NFL. Come out here, it’s not a weekend anymore, I guess not a Sunday, but go out here and play football. It’s always great.”
For Panthers fans searching for signs that their quarterback is ready to take the next step, Friday night offered a clear one. If this short preseason appearance is any indication, the Panthers may have found their leader for the long haul.