With recent success, Panthers’ Bryce Young is finally having fun

CHARLOTTE, NC – Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is finally having fun.

You could see it in his smile after big plays as he won back-to-back games for the first time in his fledgling NFL career.

You could see it in his newfound comfort showing his personality, faking a first down signal after a 24-yard scramble in his final outing and dancing on the sideline before the game-winning field goal in overtime.

You could tell by his willingness to attack defenses with deep passes in a way he never did in a 2-14 rookie season and 0-2 start this one.

Those newfound prospects will be put to the test in Sunday’s game against the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs (1 p.m. ET, CBS).

“It might just be a little more expressive,” Young said. “I enjoy things in my own way. I know how things may look from the outside, but I’ve always enjoyed the game. I’ve always loved the game. I’ve always had fun playing.

“Maybe it’s been more expressive the last few weeks, but my love for the game is always good.”

Much of that expressiveness is tied to confidence in the offensive line. Young is finally getting playing time in the passing game. The O-line’s run blocking has paved the way for Chuba Hubbard to finish fourth in the NFL in rushing yards (818) and has taken pressure off the quarterback to run the offense.

The top pick in the 2023 draft was careful not to criticize last season’s line after being sacked 62 times, the most in the league. But those who saw the duress Young was under last season and during the first two games this season agree that the line played a big part in the quarterback’s poor performance.

“Oh, yeah,” wide receiver Adam Thielen said. “The offensive line has given both quarterbacks (Young and Andy Dalton) the confidence that they can sit back there … be on time, go through their reads.

“There’s a few times in Germany where it was just phenomenal protection, long plays where the O-line just did a great job of giving Bryce a clean pocket to go up and make those throws.”

Young’s sack percentage this season is 6.1%, down from 10% last season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. He’s only pressured 29.7% of the time, compared to 35% in 2023. The opponent’s time to a sack is 4.77 seconds compared to 4.28 last season.

The strengthening of the interior line with the signing of free agent guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis has helped tremendously, but it took a while for the new group to gel.

Young was sacked four times in a season-opening loss to the New Orleans Saints and twice in a Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, leading to him being benched for Dalton after the 0-2 start.

He has been sacked just six times in three games since returning as a starter and just once in each of the last two games.

His sack percentage dropped from 9% in the first two games to 4.1% the past three, though he was pressured more — 32.7% to 25.4% — in Weeks 8-10.

The defense has opened up the deep passing game. Young was 6-for-17 (35%) on throws of 10-plus yards the first two games and was 16-for-36 (44%) over the past three.

More aggressive playcalling by Dave Canales since Young appeared to grow frustrated with the coach’s conservative approach during a 23-22 win over the Saints three weeks ago has also helped. Both Young and Canales downplayed any friction, but Canales took some responsibility Monday.

“Honestly, it’s me too, just giving him more opportunities to be able to take those looks down there,” Canales said, adding Young’s chemistry with freshman wide receivers Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker has also played a role.

But protection is the root of both.

“They’ve been balling,” Young said. “They have played super well in all facets. I am super grateful to them.”

Even without starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu (ankle) the past two weeks, forcing starting center Brady Christensen to move outside, Young has had more time to work.

“It was tough at times (last season) with the breakdowns at different points on the offensive line,” said Ekwonu, who is headed to play Sunday.

Christensen called the improved protection “great for everything.”

“There’s so much on his plate, so if he can’t worry about a few things that we can take control of, that’s huge,” he said. “It’s with any quarterback. If they don’t feel comfortable out there, it’s going to be tough.’

Despite the improved confidence and a two-game winning streak, the 3-7 Panthers’ first since 2022, Canales said the quarterback position will continue to be a week-to-week evaluation.

The fact that Young hasn’t put up big numbers despite the protection plays a role. Over the past two games, he has amassed 297 passing yards and two touchdowns with one interception.

The key has been the way Young has finished strong in each win.

“And of course, the bottom line, winning,” Canales said.

Thielen said the more Young is able to relax and be himself, the better the team will be. Young is just enjoying the moment while he can, but he can’t promise any more dances.

“We’ll see,” he said with a smile. “I don’t really plan them in advance.”