Two States, One Dream: Young Brings Hope To Carolina -

Whether fair or not, Bryce Young must shoulder the hopes and expectations of a team, a front office, and two states.

When the Carolina Panthers drafted Bryce Young, it sent a clear message to not just the NFL, but those that hold the franchise dear. Granted, most top picks endure a similar sense of stress and pressure. However, when the former Alabama signalcaller steps onto the first during the opening week, a change and the start of a new era begins for the Queen City The real work begins.

The Shadow

Cam Newton left a canyon-sized hole in the fabric of the Carolina Panthers. The team tried adding veteran retreads to no avail. More importantly, Newton departed the team with its soul, the ability to gather teammates and lead them through rough spots. In all honesty, the Panthers failed at that organizational level to replace Newton. Now, in Young, the team sees him as the way out of the recent failures. To be the best Bryce Young, the rookie needs to ignore team history and focus on what he can do. Chasing ghosts and striving to meet historical standards will never win games. Cam Newton won with lackluster offensive weapons and completed less than sixty percent of his passes. That anomalous production will never be the norm.

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The Coach

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Frank Reich assumed the mantle of responsibility. Known for his work with quarterbacks, Reich sees a passer in Young, unlike many that he’s tutored in the past. First, Young plays more like Russell Wilson than Andrew Luck. As a result, moving the pocket will immediately help. Next, Young’s improvisational style when the play breaks down isn’t a skill that Reich can either teach or sharpen. Under those circumstances, both the player and coach need to learn what the other does and can provide. After the Matt Rhule debacle, Carolina gambled their future on Frank Reich. No grace period or honeymoon. From Week One on, Bryce Young’s development strictly falls on Reich’s shoulders. How the team performs in 2023 and forward rests with the coach.

The Critics

If you watched the NFL Draft and the entire process, you probably grew weary about the measurements. Critics zero in on Young’s height, forgetting that he stands just about a half-inch shorter than Russell Wilson. Additionally, tipping the scales at 204 pounds rattled people, Again, Wilson outweighs Young by eleven pounds. Yet, people stop chirping about height when Wilson started winning games and hoisting trophies. In a league predicated on wide-open offense and the ability to make plays, Young’s size becomes immaterial. Or, at least it should.

The Weaponry

Behind an improving offensive line, Young will find himself with an underrated group of targets. Terrace Marshall enters the season with one career touchdown. Marshall brings speed and verticality but not the hands to become number one. Adam Thielen brings a 68.8 percent catch percentage and pristine route running. Immediately, he will become Young’s favorite target. D.J. Chark, much like Marshall brings a big-play explosion with shaky hands. Plus, can Chark stay healthy? One name that may not catch the press, but will add an aspect of dynamism is Laviska Shenault. Shenault can function as a Deebo Samuel clone, able to line up in the backfield. Shenault won’t blur by anyone but will create yards after the catch with the wiggle to lose tacklers. Lastly, rookie Jonathan Mingo should climb the depth chart with the ability to separate, explode and outmuscle defenders.

Overview

Bryce Young doesn’t need to be Cam Newton. He won’t fit into a conventional passer box, and should never need to. Instead, all he has to do is remember why the Panthers shipped a ton of draft capital to the Chicago Bears. The Panthers haven’t played a relevant game since their last winning season in 2017. The NFC South without a superstar passer looks winnable under the right conditions. With that said, behind a rookie quarterback, the team can surprise but needs to execute on offense.