5 major observations from Bryce Young's performance vs. the NY Giants

How did Bryce Young fare in Germany?

Bryce Young's performances have been much more encouraging since returning to the starting lineup. Being benched after just two games was a humbling experience for the Carolina Panthers quarterback. Fortunately, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft took it as a learning experience and responded accordingly.

Young earned the starting job once again in Week 10 against the New York Giants thanks to an outstanding effort to beat the New Orleans Saints. Head coach Dave Canales wasn't ready to make a long-term commitment to the signal-caller, highlighting this remains a week-to-week evaluation with veteran Andy Dalton waiting in the wings.

This was a chance for Young to enhance his growing confidence further at the Allianz Arena in Germany. It promised to be a stern test of the Heisman Trophy winner's credentials, with the Giants boasting a formidable defensive front seven led by the likes of Dexter Lawrence II, Azeez Olujari, and former Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns.

A difficult test, but not an impossible one. As it turned out, Young and the Panthers rode their luck but managed to pick up their second straight victory in overtime. This was thanks in no small part to A'Shawn Robinson forcing a fumble deep into New York territory.

With this in mind, here are five major observations from Young's performance versus the Giants.

Panthers QB Bryce Young to start again vs. Giants after trade deadline rumors, regaining starting job [Video]

Major observations from Bryce Young's performance in Week 10

Bryce Young's pocket navigation

One of the biggest positives around quarterback Bryce Young's performance enhancements since becoming the starter once again centers on his pocket comfort. The signal-caller looks a lot more assured. There are very few wasted movements. He's confident stepping up and delivering the football with conviction more often than not.

This came to the fore against the New York Giants. The Carolina Panthers didn't put too much on Young's plate, but he was efficient enough. He's developing encouraging chemistry with his fledgling pass-catchers. The former Alabama star is also trusting the team's much-improved offensive line much more compared to earlier in the campaign.

Removing the scar tissue from last season has been the biggest challenge of all where Young is concerned. It's taken time, but the progress being made in his pocket navigation is pleasing in the best possible way.

Strong pocket manipulation was the hallmark of Young's productive period in college with the Crimson Tide. After an erratic start to his professional journey, it's starting to look up at long last.

Bryce Young's solid first half

The pressure on Bryce Young remains enormous. He's made strides over the last fortnight, but the margin for error is incredibly slim. However, this second chance represents a foot back in the door en route to solidifying his long-term future.

It was a solid enough first half from Young. He protected the football and recovered quickly from a second-play sack courtesy of former Carolina Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns. The signal-caller moved the football well, relying on a heavy dose of running back Chuba Hubbard along the way.

The statistics were nothing special. However, they could have been a lot better had it not been for a couple of crucial drops in key moments.

62.5 percent completion
94 passing yards
1 touchdown
0 interceptions
1 sack against
6 rushing yards
99.5 passer rating (ESPN)

Nobody is expecting miracles from Young. This was always going to be a gradual process, but it's hard to deny that the player is growing and the Panthers have finally found the right formula.

Playing to Bryce Young's strengths

The Panthers are not asking Bryce Young to be the second coming of Lamar Jackson or Cam Newton. That would be unrealistic and unfair in equal measure. Even so, head coach Dave Canales is doing a better job of molding his offensive scheme around his quarterback's strengths.

Carolina is making Young a game manager. Someone who makes smart choices and keeps things ticking over nicely. It also helps that the Panthers have an exceptional running back at their disposal in the form of Chuba Hubbard, who was nothing short of sensational against the New York Giants.

This is the recipe for success if the Panthers move forward with Young as the starter for the rest of 2024. There will be risks here and there, but being smart with the football and not having a detrimental impact on the team's chances is far more vital.

Young is a cerebral quarterback. He doesn't have the biggest arm, but it's sufficient enough.

That won't result in highlight splashes downfield a lot. However, it's a recipe for success. Especially considering the Panthers aren't exactly flush with game-changing talent despite having some decent pieces to build around long-term.

Bryce Young did just enough

There were some throws that Bryce Young would like to have back. The player missed opportunities - especially late in the contest on the sideline throw to Jalen Coker when there was separation. However, the quarterback did just enough.

The Carolina Panthers relied heavily on their defense to get the job done. They'll also be thanking some costly individual errors from the New York Giants that played a leading role in their demise. But from Young's standpoint, he played free of any grave mistakes in a fine-margin situation.

That's the big takeaway from Young. The Panthers are learning how to win football games by any means necessary. It's not going to be flawless with a team so devoid of genuine talent, but it's been enough to dispose of two lowly operations over the last fortnight.

Young eventually finished with 126 passing yards, one touchdown, and an 86.4 passer rating from ESPN. The most crucial statistic of all? No interceptions and zero fumbles.

That was the difference in a contest that could have legitimately gone either way.

Bryce Young is having fun

Bryce Young was a visibly dejected figure throughout his torrid rookie campaign and before his benching. The vibrant, self-confident figure that took college football by storm was gone. Replaced by a hesitant, miserable player who'd hit rock bottom in no uncertain terms.

Things look a little different now. Young's more assured. He didn't wallow in self-pity after being taken out of the firing line. Instead, he used this setback as a source of motivation.

More importantly, he's having fun again.

Young's aura is a lot better these days. He's moving from one play to the next effectively whether it was successful or not. He's trusting the scheme and the players around him to execute. More importantly, he's got more trust in his own abilities to come through when it counts.

Is it perfect? No, not by a long shot. However, it's night and day compared to anything Young's put together before. That should ensure the Mater Dei Hiigh School product is under center for a mouthwatering clash against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs after Carolina's bye week.

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