Bryce Young has turned Carolina’s opening two weeks into an early-season statement, pairing a more aggressive downfield approach with the Panthers’ first back-to-back 30-point performances to begin a season.
Through the Week 2 Sunday slate, Young ranked second in the NFL with 648 passing yards, trailing only Tyler Shough’s 662. His six touchdown throws were tied with Jared Goff, Dak Prescott and Kirk Cousins for the league lead, while his 113.3 passer rating ranked sixth.
The Panthers quarterback has not even played every fourth-quarter snap. Kenny Pickett replaced Young late in both Carolina games: the season-opening loss to the Chicago Bears and Sunday’s 34-3 dismantling of the Atlanta Falcons. Even so, Young’s start marks a sharp departure from his previous early-season results. He had gone 0-6 in Weeks 1 and 2 across his first three NFL seasons, posting a 64.0 rating that was last among 38 qualifying quarterbacks in that span.
Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan pointed to a changed environment around the former No. 1 overall pick.
“It’s confidence in himself, the play calling and the playmakers around him,” McMillan said.
Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik has taken over play-calling responsibilities from head coach Dave Canales, and the Panthers are attacking defenses farther down the field. Young is tied with Josh Allen for third in average air yards per completion at 8.8, behind Trevor Lawrence and Jalen Hurts. His 10.2 average air yards per attempt is tied for fourth.
Those figures contrast dramatically with 2024, when Young was tied for 31st in air yards per completion at 4.9 and tied for 33rd in air yards per attempt at 6.9.
Canales joked about last season’s lack of vertical production when discussing the difference in Young’s game.
“What was wrong with that play caller last year?” Canales said with a smile. “The guy wouldn’t get the ball downfield.”
Young has completed nine passes of at least 25 yards to five different targets. Jalen Coker opened the season with a 51-yard touchdown catch, while Xavier Legette produced a career-best 55-yard reception against Atlanta that led to a touchdown late in the first half.
Young credited Legette for winning his matchup and finishing a contested catch on the deep ball.
“X did a great job of winning on a deep route,” Young said. “I trusted him, put it out there and let him run under it and make a contested catch. That’s what he brings.”
Deep throws, defined as attempts traveling 20 or more yards in the air, account for 15.1 percent of Young’s passes this season. That is more than twice his 7.1 percent rate from a year ago. Among quarterbacks with at least 25 attempts, only Allen at 16.7 percent, Baker Mayfield at 16.1 and Lamar Jackson at 16.1 have thrown deep more frequently.
Canales credited Idzik’s timing on vertical calls and Young’s judgment when coverage presents an opportunity. Pickett said Young has balanced those chances with the need to take easier completions.
“He’s done a great job figuring out when to take those shots and when to check it down,” Pickett said. “There are earlier plays on the tape where we wanted a shot, and he checked it down for positive plays. He’s been unbelievable sorting through all of that.”
Carolina’s continuity at receiver has also aided Young’s development. In Canales’ first season with the Panthers, Young’s four most-targeted receivers were Legette, Adam Thielen, Diontae Johnson and David Moore. Thielen and Johnson are no longer in the NFL, while Moore is on Carolina’s practice squad.
The current group is centered on 23-year-old McMillan, 24-year-old Coker and 25-year-old Legette. Rookie Chris Brazzell was also part of that young group before a knee injury in training camp ended his season.
“Knowing who you’re going to throw to makes a huge difference,” Canales said. “For the past two years, we entered the season trying to identify those pieces and build chemistry. We had the entire offseason with this group. T-Mac, Jalen and Xavier have all made big plays, and the tight ends are contributing, too.”
One important addition arrived in August, when general manager Dan Morgan signed veteran tight end Darren Waller. Waller said the offense initially felt as difficult as learning Mandarin, but he has grown more comfortable in the system with help from Young.
“He’ll come over and explain what he sees against certain leverage,” Waller said. “I write it down, store it away and make sure I take those details onto the field.”
That communication showed up against the Falcons. Waller caught two end-zone touchdown passes from Young, both against coverage looks the two had discussed during the previous week.
Canales views those exchanges as evidence that Young is taking greater command of the offense in his third season working with Canales and Idzik. The quarterback has been reinforcing route details, timing and receiver positioning directly with skill players, including through extra work away from the main practice schedule.
“We want to build this around what he does well,” Canales said. “Bryce sees that, takes it and puts his own stamp on it. He is driving those coaching points home with the skill players, and it is showing up.”
Young has joined Kyler Murray as the only NFL quarterbacks younger than 26 to begin a season with consecutive games of at least 285 passing yards, three touchdown passes and a passer rating of 110 or better.
Waller, who has worked with Young for only two months, said the quarterback’s poise has stood out from training camp through the opening games.
“He has been poised from the start,” Waller said. “He is never rattled. If an adjustment has to be made, he is not yelling at anyone, but there is urgency in him. He is trying to bring everyone to where he is and to the level he is playing at. The offense is excited to follow his lead.”
