The Carolina Panthers are taking a cautious approach with their quarterback Bryce Young as they navigate through the preseason. Despite being the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, Young had a challenging rookie season and is now adjusting to a new offensive scheme under coach Dave Canales. The coaching staff decided to sit Young out of the team's first two preseason games, a move that the quarterback fully supports, emphasizing his trust in their decisions.
Canales, who has a history of working with successful quarterbacks like Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield, believes that Young has a solid grasp of the offensive system after completing the installation process a couple of weeks ago. This confidence in Young's understanding of the playbook has led to the decision to potentially rest him in the final preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.
While Canales remains open to the idea of playing Young, the ultimate decision will depend on various factors, including the health of other players on the team. The Panthers have prioritized player health over on-field chemistry in their preseason games so far, holding out a significant number of starters in losses to the New England Patriots and New York Jets.
Across the league, different teams have taken varying approaches to preseason quarterback play. While stars like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen have seen action, others like Deshaun Watson have yet to make an appearance. Canales has been impressed with Young's progress in learning the offense, attributing it to his hard work during training camp and joint practices.
If Young does take the field in the upcoming game, Canales will be looking for efficient operation of the offense and effective communication. The focus will be on ensuring that the team is running smoothly and building valuable in-game chemistry.
As the Panthers continue to evaluate their quarterback situation, the coaching staff remains confident in their decisions and the development of Bryce Young as they prepare for the upcoming NFL season.
