Jonathan Mingo gives an extremely encouraging update on Bryce Young's development
Second-round 2023 draft pick Jonathan Mingo sees the difference in Bryce Young.
Bryce Young's fellow 2023 rookie, wide receiver Jonathan Mingo, is already seeing a drastic difference in the Carolina Panthers starting quarterback.
Mingo, who worked out with Young during the offseason, said Monday the Panthers' second-year starter is playing with a deeper sense of poise – a trait the Panthers were desperately looking to see develop.
"He's got a better feel for the game," Mingo said. "Everything is slowing down for him. He can read everything more. He's more relaxed and more comfortable. You can see it at practice."
Mingo and Young came into the league together. As a result, the quarterback and wide receiver have grown together – showing signs of a burgeoning chemistry that didn't exist during the dramatically disappointing 2023 campaign.
"[We] just going out there working," Mingo said. "Keeping the same mindset. Just trying to help this team win."
Through the early portion of camp, Young has turned to Mingo when the play breaks down and he is forced to make something out of nothing.
During Mingo's rookie season, he was aware he missed several opportunities to make similar plays. Heading into year two, functioning as a make-shift offensive security blanket for Young appears to be a priority for the 23-year-old wide receiver.
"Bryce is real shifty," Mingo said. "I know last year, I missed him on a couple of scramble opportunities. That was a big thing I had to focus on this year. Bryce can stop on the dime. Being ready for him, just trying to feel the defense and see where they're going, and find the open hole.
"You just got to learn the defense and learn your quarterback."
That was the reason behind Mingo's workouts with Young in California. It was a chance for a talented receiver to find chemistry with an equally skilled quarterback.
Now, it will come down to Young and Mingo living up to the offseason hype.
"You see Mingo, Terrace Marshall really showing who they are. David Moore, you throw the ball that his way, he comes up with it," Dave Canales said Saturday. "I've really seen those guys come through, and when we can depend on them. So it's a really good room, it's a really good competition, some different styles of players. Ihmir making some nice plays."
Canales added: “We talk about creating that competition and challenging every position—and that’s exactly what we want. We wanna make sure everybody’s pursuin’ their best. They’re not looking left and right. They’re just focusing on their execution and we’re getting good execution out of those guys right now.”
A season ago, Mingo tallied 43 receptions for 418 yards, placing him tenth among the rest of the 2023 rookie receiver class. In his sophomore season, it is clear the receiver is hoping for more.
