The objective of the Carolina Panthers' offseason was to make life easier for Bryce Young.
Well, heading into the quarterback's second year, he was making throws that wowed every coach watching, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on SportsCenter.
"Here's the feeling from the Panthers after coming out of the spring," Fowler said, via Adam Wells of Bleacher Report. "They believe Bryce Young made two to three 'wow' throws most days. He was accurate. He showed maturity in taking that easy check-down instead of trying to force things. He hit big plays off play-action. Now, the nuances of Dave Canales' system, footwork, timing, [and] rhythm, that was there. I was told that's probably going to take a little more time. That's what training camp's for. But they believe he's on the right track so far."
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That is great news for the Panthers, who have rebuilt the offense around Young's strengths as a play-action quarterback.
Through trading for Diontae Johnson and drafting Xavier Legette, Carolina has top-end talent at the wide receiver position.
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The running back room is also chalked full of talent, with 2023 breakout Chuba Hubbard returning – coupled with Jonathon Brooks out of Texas playing a factor.
And then, upfront, that is the biggest difference. Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis will offer the smaller Young ample protection. If Young has time to throw, he will make the right decision. Offseason workouts prove that to be true.
It is easy to wax poetically about football in the early months of the offseason. Everyone looks good. Everyone is somewhat healthy. Everyone has improved. But what Young experienced appears to have real merit.
He looks more confident. Teammates have gone on record about Young having more assurance in the locker room. If he can put it all together, the Panthers may finally have a path out of quarterback purgatory.
