While the Carolina Panthers‘ starters did not play until preseason game three, notable action still played into their performances. Their matchup against the Buffalo Bills showcased Bryce Young‘s talent on their first drive and saw a more put-together team than in their first two preseason dates.
New head coach Dave Canales took a cautious approach to the preseason, which saw a lot of action for second and third-string players. The Panthers’ first two games weren’t great, but they managed to squeak out a win in their final game before the start of the regular season. How will all of their offseason moves help them fare in the upcoming season?
Main Questions For The Panthers
How Will Bryce Young Perform?
Second-year quarterback Bryce Young has a lot to prove in the upcoming season. His rookie season didn’t pan out the way he would have wanted it to and he didn’t get much playing time during preseason. Young only played one drive but had six completions on eight attempts. He led the Panthers to their first touchdown drive of the game, throwing to Jordan Matthews in the end zone.
After a dismal rookie season, Young will want to turn the tides in his favor. After his one drive during the preseason, Young looks poised to fit well in the Panthers’ offense, even if it was against a defense full of backups. The young quarterback made important throws throughout his drive and scrambled on fourth-and-three to ultimately throw a first-down pass to Diontae Johnson. If Young can play the way he played in college and on this first drive, the Panthers will have a much more successful season than the 2023 season.
Will The Offensive Line Offer More Protection?
One of the main issues last season was the lack of protection for Young. A big part of what Canales has had to deal with is making sure the offensive line is put together and will be able to stop oncoming pressure. Young was sacked 62 times during the 2023 season, a stat that the Panthers will want to lessen this season.
Young was unable to find his receivers a lot of the time due to the inside pressure he was facing. The offensive line needs to stay healthy and work on their protection of Young. Canales has put a lot of effort this offseason into fixing up the offensive line. He brought in guard Robert Hunt from the Miami Dolphins, who has shown his toughness and has a great mentality, according to Canales. He also brought in Damien Lewis and moved Austin Corbett to center, which Canales thinks will be a good move for the struggling offense.
How Will The Rookies Play?
Running back Jonathon Brooks is coming back from an injury and will attempt to make a good impression to try and become the number-one running back after his return. He remains on the injured list and likely won’t play until the third or fourth week. However, Brooks was a key player for Texas in the 2023 season. Despite a season-ending injury, Brooks rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Panthers will hope that he’ll challenge Chuba Hubbard, which will be an attempt to get the most out of both players.
Also on the offensive side of things, Xavier Legette will want to prove his potential after being the Panthers’ first-round draft pick. While at South Carolina, Legette played a pivotal role, especially during his final season. The 2023 season saw Legette record 71 receptions for 1255 yards and seven touchdowns. The Panthers were very impressed with Legette’s final season, which made the rookie invaluable to the team. Legette has a good group of wide receivers to work with, with the likes of Johnson and Adam Thielen also out wide. These veteran players should be able to provide Legette with important advice and help him using their experience.
What Will This Season Look Like?
The Panthers desperately need a winning season this year. With a new head coach and a lot of new players, there should be optimism throughout the squad. Young will need to have a good season and make bigger plays than he did last season. A main hope will be that the offensive line performs better and stands taller in front of pressure. With new additions like Hunt and Lewis, Canales is positive that his team is trending in the right direction. Veterans and rookies alike will need to step up and make big contributions to have a positive season.
Main Image: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
