Panthers QB Bryce Young has improved in the most important area of his game
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has improved in the exact way the team needed him to.
Though Bryce Young came into his rookie season well-decorated at every level of football, everything changed during his rookie season.
As the Panthers slumped, Young's confidence waned. He started 16 of 17 games during his rookie season. During that stretch, he was sacked 62 times, tied for the sixth-highest total in NFL history. But going into year two, his backup quarterback Andy Dalton, a long-time NFL veteran, believes Young is already showing key signs of improved leadership heading into the 2024 season.
“You see him with how comfortable he is right now in everything that we’re doing. Being in front of the team. Calling up the offense and speaking wisdom over, ‘Hey, let’s be intentional with today’s practice,’” Dalton said to Joseph Person of The Athletic. “Just all the little things that a year ago, you’re the new guy. You’re in the huddle and in the building with a lot of new faces, with guys that are a lot older than you. And you’re thrust into that quarterback leadership position. Now it’s way easier for him because he’s already experienced it all.”
Young had several voices in his ear during his first run through Charlotte. Frank Reich's amalgamation of minds didn't work out and the offense he was brought to build fell apart in Week 1.
With Dave Canales, life appears different. Young has spoken of the relationship he is building with the first-year head coach.
“The whole locker room’s been able to feel it, just that newness and the spirit we’ve had. It’s OTAs. It’s early. We have a ton of work to do, a ton of learning to do,” Young told The Athletic. “But I’m super grateful for Dave and the staff for everyone being there.”
Life is changing for Young. And with it, life, for the Panthers, may be changing with him.
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