Panthers coach sticking with struggling QB Bryce Young

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

For the second straight week, Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young struggled with the offense, hitting 18-of-26 for 84 yards in a 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

With boos filtering down to the Bank of America field, Bryce Young walked quickly in front of his teammates.

Young paused before the tunnel and attempted to greet the players and coaches as they made their way toward the locker room at halftime. The Carolina Panthers quarterback, who guided the offensive unit to just 54 total first-half yards, attempted to pass along some reassurance.

The internal communication was likely the most meaningful completion Young executed Sunday during the Panthers’ 26-3, home-opening loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. With tempers flaring among offensive personnel along the sideline, coach Dave Canales after the game defended his starting quarterback, who will start next week at the Las Vegas Raiders.

“Bryce is our quarterback,” Canales said. “We’re going to continue to shore up and fix the things we need to.  These are all valuable reps.”

Bryce Young fallout continues

Like his Week 1 effort, Young’s mistakes continued to mount. Against New Orleans, Young targeted Diontae Johnson but overthrew the intended target to Saints cornerback Will Harris on the first play of the regular season.
“You’ve got to look in the mirror (and) turn the page,” Young said Wednesday.  

The page went nearly blank against the Chargers after Young continued attempting third-down passes well behind the sticks. The Panthers went 1-for-12 on third down and 2-for-22 for the season.

With 33 seconds before halftime Sunday, the Panthers faced third-and-15 from their 30-yard line. Young dropped back and had receivers downfield but checked down to deliver a 5-yard screen pass to running back Miles Sanders. The punt team jogged onto the field to a cascade of boos in the nearly half-filled stadium.  

“I respect the passion the city has for the team,” said Young, who completed 18-of-26 passes for 84 yards.  

In the opener, Young registered a quarterback rating of 32.8. Against the Chargers, it improved to 57.2.

The Panthers selected Young over Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud with the first overall draft pick in 2023. Head-to-head, the two Day 1 starters have progressed at different levels. Stroud registered 25 touchdown passes against five interceptions. Young, who went 2-14 in 16 starts last season, entered Sunday with 11 touchdown passes and 12 picks. Make it 13 interceptions after Young attempted to force a pass to Diontae Johnson and Elijah Molden two plays after the Chargers claimed a 13-0 second-quarter advantage.

Can Young develop?

Will Young develop like Josh Allen? The Buffalo Bills’ dynamic signal-caller suffered through two miserable seasons before establishing himself as a top-tier quarterback. Will the Panthers give Young that much time to develop?

Known as a top quarterback coach, Canales appears focused on giving Young extra time. Considering the much-publicized bounty the Panthers handed the Chicago Bears for the right to draft Young, the franchise has invested their near-term fortunes to building Young up.

During his post-game press conference, Canales was asked about Young’s confidence. He said he will investigate.  

“I gotta look at the film, talk to him some more,” he said. “Offensively and defensively, this is a group working their tails off to find our style of football. I can’t make specific comments on one player. We’re all frustrated.”
It’s starting to show.

During at least two television timeouts, Young stood several yards away from the rest of the offensive huddle. Other times, Young was seen having heated discussions with Johnson, among others.
Young dismissed the sideline intensity.  

“We have emotions,” Young said. “We’re all competitors. We all want to win. At the end of the day, on the sidelines, we’re just trying to get everything right for the next series.”

Through eight quarters, the Panthers (0-2) have collected 13 points and 352 total yards. Fans are starting to share their dissatisfaction with Young, the 2023 first-overall draft pick.

Canales is sticking with his starter, repeating his mindset.

“Bryce is our quarterback,” he said. “I’d love to see this thing take the next steps offensively. “(Sunday’s loss) came down to third down again. Not acceptable. We have a lot to clean up.”

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