The Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns faced off on Friday in the second week of the NFL preseason. The Browns came away with a 30-10 victory, but despite the loss, former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young had a solid performance during his brief time on the field.
Young, entering his third NFL season, made the most of his two series. He completed 4 of 6 passes for 58 yards and a touchdown, finishing with a passer rating of 143.1. His most impressive throw came on a 30-yard strike to rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillian after the Browns defense brought the blitz, setting up for a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jalen Coker. The drive exemplified his composure in the pocket, precise ball placement, and ability to escape a collapsed pocket to extend plays.
Young showed a complete turnaround last season after coming back off a benching in Week 3. He showed much upside to his game after returning in Week 8. He went toe-to-toe with teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Philadelphia Eagles and threw for over 2,100 yards, 15 touchdowns, and just six interceptions in the season’s final ten games.
Expectations are high for Young heading into Year 3. After a rookie campaign filled with growing pains and an improved sophomore season, the Panthers staff believe this could be his breakout year.
“I don’t think there’s a ceiling for Bryce,” said head coach Dave Canales earlier this week during an interview with Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. “I think that, first and foremost, it’s team football and Dan Morgan and I talk about this all the time. If we build this team right and we put Bryce into big games, big situations, big moments, he’ll come through for us. What I saw from him is just, whatever the situation might have been, whoever the opponent was—we brought some really good teams in here with the Chiefs and the Eagles and we played them really well. No moral victories—we lost those games, we didn’t finish well—but the moments and the situations that we put Bryce into as a team that we did collectively, he came through and he played well and he earned so much respect from his teammates and the fanbase.”
The Panthers enhanced their offensive weapons to surround Young with many options, upgraded their offensive line, and developed a more aggressive defense this offseason. With Young in command and the Panthers taking this offseason to rebuild, this could be a promising season for the Panthers.
Alabama’s First Scrimmage of Fall Camp 2025
Gallery Credit: Wyatt Fulton