Panthers’ Bryce Young Hyped by GM Ahead of 2nd NFL Season: ‘I Think He’s Feeling It’

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 3, 2024

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan is seemingly expecting big things out of quarterback Bryce Young in his second NFL season.

According to ESPN’s David Newton, Morgan heaped praise on the 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick when asked about him this week, saying: “His work ethic, his demeanor, his confidence that he’s playing with right now, it’s fun to watch. I think he’s feeling it.”

Young largely struggled as a rookie for a team that went a league-worst 2-15, but there is hope for a significant improvement thanks in large part to the arrival of new head coach Dave Canales, who helped resurrect the career of quarterback Baker Mayfield last season as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator.

After starring collegiately at Alabama and winning the Heisman Trophy in 2021, Young was the clear target for Carolina at the top of the 2023 NFL draft.

The Panthers traded several draft picks and wide receiver D.J. Moore to the Chicago Bears to move up to No. 1 overall, and they decided to make Young their franchise quarterback.

Year 1 in the NFL wasn’t particularly kind to Young, though, as he went just 2-14 as a starter and completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Carolina Panthers @PanthersChark-infested waters 🦈 pic.twitter.com/B6TFW4XMOX

While Young can’t be fully absolved of blame, he was thrust into an exceedingly difficult situation, as he had very little around him in terms of weapons in the passing game, and saw his head coach, Frank Reich, get fired just 11 games into his first season as the Panthers’ coach.

All of that turmoil made for a tough debut campaign for Young, and it didn’t help that the Houston Texans got a potential superstar quarterback in C.J. Stroud one pick after the Panthers took Young.

Of course, Stroud landed in a far more favorable situation in Houston with better weapons and a better coaching staff, but he also took advantage, completing 63.9 percent of his passing attempts for. 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and five picks en route to winning the AFC South, earning a Pro Bowl nod and taking NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Because of Stroud’s success, there is arguably even more pressure on Young entering his second season than there otherwise would have been, and it could be a make-or-break year for his long-term future in Carolina.

Having a respected offensive mind in Canales as his head coach should help, as should the arrival of several new weapons, including wide receiver Diontae Johnson via trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and wide receiver Xavier Legette, running back Jonathon Brooks and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders in the first four rounds of the draft.

Young still faces a tough climb quarterbacking a team that could once again be among the worst in the NFL in 2024, but he is far more equipped for success than he was as a rookie.