The tough start to the season is becoming a recurring theme for Panthers quarterback Bryce Young. On Sunday, he faced the Jaguars, ending the game with a disappointing 26-10 loss.
Young managed to complete 18 out of 36 pass attempts, throwing for 154 yards and recording two interceptions, along with a touchdown and a fumble.
His struggles were evident, especially in the first half, where he completed just seven passes for a mere 47 yards and turned the ball over twice.
“I need to make better choices,” Young noted when asked about improving ball security. “I can’t make those kinds of errors; it affects the whole team. I really need to work on this.”
He walked into halftime with a passer rating sitting at 26.2.
This pattern feels all too familiar for Panthers supporters.
Young has faced difficulties throughout his first three seasons since being picked first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. All three season openers have ended in significant losses, totaling 461 yards, with two touchdowns and six interceptions across those games.
Frustration seemed to show when Young exited the field early in the third quarter after the Panthers failed to convert on a crucial third-and-one situation from the five-yard line.
“That’s what happens when you don’t convert,” he reflected. “Not being able to make those plays is tough. I really need to step up as a leader.”
Panthers head coach Dave Canales appeared to be attempting to communicate with Young during a tense moment, and after the game, he addressed their interaction.
“We were both just trying to find a way to keep pushing forward,” Canales explained. “His frustration wasn’t aimed at me. We’re just focused on getting back to playing the game.”
