The Carolina Panthers’ rookie quarterback Bryce Young showed his potential in the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions on Thursday night. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft threw his first professional touchdown pass and led the Panthers to a 17-10 halftime lead.
Young’s impressive performance
Young played the entire first half and completed 7 of 12 passes for 73 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 14 yards on two carries and avoided any turnovers. He displayed his accuracy, mobility, and poise in the pocket, making several impressive throws on the run and under pressure.
His best play came with 1:07 left in the second quarter, when he rolled to his right and found wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. in the back of the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown. It was Young’s first touchdown pass in the NFL and Marshall’s third of the preseason.
Young also connected with tight end Dan Arnold for a 23-yard gain on a third-and-10 play in the first quarter, setting up a field goal by Joey Slye. He also converted a fourth-and-1 with a sneak in the second quarter, keeping alive a drive that ended with a touchdown run by Chuba Hubbard.
Young’s journey to the NFL
Young was a star at Alabama, where he set the school record for most passing yards in a single game (559) and won several player of the year awards in 2021, including the Heisman Trophy. He led the Crimson Tide to a national championship in 2020 and a runner-up finish in 2021.
He declared for the draft after his sophomore season and was widely projected as the top pick. The Panthers traded up with the Chicago Bears to secure the No. 1 spot and selected Young, making him the first Alabama player to be drafted first overall in the common era of the NFL draft (since 1967).
Young signed a four-year contract worth $36.2 million, including a $23.6 million signing bonus. He competed with veteran Sam Darnold for the starting job in training camp and preseason, but coach Matt Rhule named Darnold as the starter for Week 1.
Young’s outlook for the regular season
Young will begin his rookie season as the backup to Darnold, who was acquired from the New York Jets in April. Darnold did not play in any of the preseason games, as Rhule wanted to give him more practice reps and avoid any injuries.
However, Young could see some action during the regular season, either as a situational player or as a replacement if Darnold struggles or gets hurt. Young has shown enough promise and talent to warrant some playing time and possibly challenge Darnold for the starting role in the future.
The Panthers will open their regular season on Sept. 12 against the New York Jets at Bank of America Stadium.