“Bryce Young” Panthers, “Sharp” at the start of the second season

In a three-play stretch of his second series, Young, the top pick in the 2023 draft, was sacked, called a late game penalty and hit hard again on a 15-yard, third down to tight end. Hayden Hirst had this nullified by a punishing penalty.

The string of errors forced the Panthers (0-2) to settle for a 37-yard field goal by Matthew Wright after driving to the New York 10-yard line.

But Young never seemed upset or uncomfortable, something that also stood out in last week’s 27-0 loss to the New York Jets, where he hit three of seven running backs and produced just one first in three series.

“I thought Price looked strong,” said coach Frank Reich. “Put together a nice drive. I wish I’d finished that.” [with a touchdown]. We are obviously not satisfied with the number of penalties we got.

“But I thought Price looked sharp. I think he wanted to throw the ball more, but I thought he looked sharp.”

Young finished 3 of 6 for 35 yards in two series at MetLife Stadium, making it 7 of 12 for 56 yards in two preseason games.

He should have completed at least once, but Jonathan Mingo stopped his way short after a short pass over the middle appeared on goal with the rookie receiver still running.

Mingo and Young later connected on a 15-yard play that Reich described as a good read. He commends Young for making the right protection calls on every raid the Titans bring in.

“He was comfortable and balanced in the pocket and saw what he was meant to see,” Reich said.

Of having only 12 pass attempts in two games, Young said, “The chances are limited, but you have to take advantage of those attempts.”

Young said his biggest leap from the first to the second was “wise communication as a unit”.

“There’s always room for improvement,” Young said, “but we handled that pretty well.” “This is definitely a positive thing.”

Reich wasn’t committed about whether Young will play in next week’s final preseason game against the Detroit Lions, saying it depends on whether he and the staff think there’s something they need to work on.

Young, when asked if he’s ready for the September 10 opener at the Atlanta Falcons, said he’ll trust whatever the coaches decide, but Reich and his teammates seem comfortable with the rookie quarterback.

“He’s wonderful, calm and collegial,” center Bradley Bozeman said in a televised broadcast.