Panthers, Bryce Young aim for quick start to 2025 season 

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Bryce Young overcame a benching early in the 2024 season to show improvement as a quarterback and leader. He'll need to take the next step to help the Panthers become more competitive in the NFC South.

The first pass on the first play of the 2024 campaign was Bryce Young’s first mistake. 

New Orleans Saints defensive back Will Harris cut in front of the receiver for an interception, the Carolina Panthers’ first turnover of the season. The miscue was the beginning of a disturbing early-season trend. By the end of a 0-2 start, lowlighted by opponents outscoring the Panthers 73-13, Young lost his job. 

Then-rookie coach Dave Canales, a day after declaring Young would remain the starter, reversed course in favor of Andy Dalton. The switch provided little spark as Dalton won one of five starts but the move achieved one goal. It illuminated Young’s grip on the locker room.

“He revealed a lot of his character in that process and showed great leadership,” Canales said Monday. “He stayed in front of the team. He did not take a seat in the back and just kind of let this thing play out. He continued to lead. And he was sending a message very clearly to me, that this is my team and I respect it.  

“I wasn’t surprised.” 

Panthers seek strong Week 1 effort 

Despite winning just seven games the last two seasons, Canales is optimistic Young will continue to solidify his presence as a franchise quarterback. 

“I just look at the way he approached it and the way he continues to approach it is to show us, to show his teammates first and foremost that he's the guy for this team,” Canales said. “So, there's just a real cool mutual respect that I think both of us have grown over the course of time." 

Young has a 6-22 record with 32 touchdowns (26 passing) and 27 turnovers in his Panthers career. Over his previous 10 appearances, Young displayed his best stretch of work, compiling 2,104 yards, 15 TD passes and five rushing scores. He controlled the ball better during that span, tossing six interceptions and losing two fumbles. 

Still a year away from orchestrating serious talks with general manager Dan Morgan on a possible fifth season on his rookie deal, Young deflected attention away from his situation during Wednesday’s press conference. When asked how important a fast start would be for him, Young backpedaled and concluded that a competitive against the Jaguars would be good “for the team.” 

Fans often gravitate to a resurrection story, like Young’s, but their patience for “prove it” players can be short. 

Young said he is entering the season with a simple goal: “Ups and downs, good games or bad games, regardless of the situation, I just want to be consistent in my work and my progress.” 

Can Young ‘prove it’ this season?  

The Panthers seek a quality start in 2025.

Young went 13 of 30 for 161 yards and two interceptions during the 47-10 debacle in New Orleans. He was sacked four times but scored on a 3-yard run. During his NFL debut in ‘23, Young went 20-of-38 for 146 yards with one TD pass and two interceptions during a 24-10 loss at Atlanta.  

Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik offered his advice on how Young can alter Sunday’s opener at Jacksonville.

“Play fast and confident,” Idzik said Thursday. “I think every year is a prove-it year for all these players.” 

To most Panthers’ fans, however, their Week 1 focus will be on Young. Can he prove in Year 3 that he’s a bona fide NFL quarterback? He’s looking forward to the opportunity.  

"Honestly, I'm not a big look in the rearview kind of guy," Young said. "I'm excited for this year. I'm excited for this group and I feel great.  

“We all feel great as a team and we're excited to compete.” 

Well, most of the team, anyway.  

Young could face the Jaguars with three injured starters on the offensive linemen. Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu (appendectomy), right guard Robert Hunt (foot) and left guard Damien Lewis (shoulder) appeared on the Panthers’ initial injury report and were questionable for Sunday. 

Ekwonu, a Charlotte native, is confident in Young. 

“He's letting it fly out there in practice,” he said Monday. “It’s definitely been fun to see during camp and OTAs and stuff. The chemistry he’s been able to build with these guys, it’s definitely been fun to watch him grow as a player and a leader. 

“Every week is important to us, but we definitely want to be 1-0.”  

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