For the third straight year over his three NFL seasons, Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is facing serious questions about his limitations.
The latest doubts on the former No. 1 overall pick have come after this weekend’s disappointing 17-7 loss to the New Orleans Saints, where he completed 17 of his 25 throws for just 124 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. Sunday marked the seventh consecutive outing where Young failed to throw for at least 200 yards, prompting more uncertainty about his ability to win games as a passer.
Although Young hasn’t regressed, it might be fair to say that he’s plateaued. He has yet to prove that he can regularly elevate the offense with his arm alone, and may have his head coach and play caller hesitant to let him loose.
So, is Young’s situation all that bad?
Let’s take a look at some Week 10 film and evaluate would could be next for Young and the Panthers.
We’ll begin on the first offensive series with a second-and-long near the red zone.
The protection up front does a great job of defending the cornerback blitz from the close side of the field. Receiver Xavier Legette has a runway to the post and gets open in the process after closing the distance between himself and the safety.
Young, instead, attempts to check the pass down to tight end Mitchell Evans on a 5-yard in-breaker. Watch his body language and eyes from the sideline and end-zone angles, respectively—this is a rushed throw and a missed opportunity on what could’ve been an explosive play . . .
Here, in the opening portion of the second quarter, the offensive line again does a good job of picking up the extra pressure with another chance for a big gain.
Watch Legette and fellow wideout Jalen Coker on the right side above the numbers from a bunch set. Both can get open cleanly on the crossing patterns that could’ve gone for at least 20 to 25 yards.
But Young is quick to lob the pass for his rookie playmaker, Tetairoa McMillan, on a jump ball. This is yet another underwhelming choice.
Now, let’s talk about Young’s brutal interception in the fourth quarter that led to the game-sealing score for the Saints.
Much of the credit needs to be directed at Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley and nickel defender Alontae Taylor for great execution, but this is also an indictment of the predictability in the offense. New Orleans was in Cover 3, but Taylor disguises the pressure and sprints to the curl flat—where McMillan is running a comeback.
Again, Canales’ call to McMillan seemed to be easy to predict. Young, however, has to work the full field.
Young seems to be rushing his throws, a sign of either impatience or Canales’ desires to get the ball out in 2.7 seconds or less. This is concerning to a degree, but correctable for both the player and coach.
We saw it last year, in the final 10 games of the regular season. Young was letting the ball fly downfield with no regrets, was fearless in his approach and helped the offense take a step up.
Unfortunately, the offense almost feels handicapped now, running with predictability and holding on to the principles too closely. Opposing defenses have discovered trends, certain alignments and stances—which may even implicate the play caller more than it does the quarterback.
And that leads to another huge question—is Canales hiding Young in his offense?
Young must play better. There is no way around it, especially with the second-toughest remaining stretch in the NFL.
There is some speculation about him playing through his ankle injury, limiting the willingness to throw deep. He could also be pressing and rushing his progressions.
There is talent in there, and it may require a little bit of a push. But that just adds to the frustration of how, in his third year, Young has yet to look like a first overall pick.
Progression is rarely linear, if at all. This is Year No. 2 under the Canales/Dan Morgan regime, and there doesn’t seem to be an implication that they would lean in another direction—because this is a well-knit group of players that, at 5-5, still have plenty to play for.
It might take an addition of a play-making tight end, a vertical and yards-after-catch receiver, and/or a new offensive play caller to figure this out. But if Young does not progress deep into his fourth season, a competition at quarterback will be needed.
Young is on the clock—and while it may not be publicly discussed, it could certainly be in the back of the mind of the front office.
Tick tock, No. 9.
Before its game against the San Jose Sharks (7-6-3) the Minnesota Wild (7-7-3) recalled defenseman David Spacek from the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Spacek, 22, was a fifth round pick by the Wild from the 2022 NHL Draft. He has played in 145 games with the Iowa Wild in parts of three seasons. He has recorded seven goals, 42 assists and 49 points.
The 6-foot defender has six assists in 12 games this season for Iowa. With Jake Middleton sick, adding Spacek will provide the Wild with a seventh defenseman incase someone can’t play tonight.