Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers offense have hummed over the first four weeks of the 2026 season. While the quarterback and offensive coordinator Brad Idzik are rightfully getting plaudits, a quiet mastermind is also playing a leading role behind the scenes.
The Panthers hired Darrell Bevell as an associate head coach and offensive specialist this offseason. Head coach Dave Canales learned under the respected figure during their time with the Seattle Seahawks, and he was hand-picked to oversee Idzik's transition into the play-calling role.
It's gone overlooked, but Bevell's impact on the Panthers has been significant.
Darren Bevell's fingerprints are all over Carolina Panthers' offensive growth
The aggressive downfield tendencies. The overall offensive smoothness. How quickly calls are coming in and how in sync everyone appears. Idzik deserves his flowers, but Bevell's presence has kept growing pains to an absolute minimum.
Nobody has been speaking about Bevell. But given the esteem in which those within the Panthers hold him, his input has been incredibly valuable.
And the early results speak for themselves.
It's not just Young's growth or Idzik's seamless play-calling, either.
When the Panthers decided they needed more at tight end late in the summer, general manager Dan Morgan turned to Darren Waller. This was a major gamble, but there was a method behind the madness.
Waller played for the Miami Dolphins last season, where Bevell was the pass game coordinator. He knew how to maximize the Pro Bowler's skills, even at this relatively late stage of his playing career. This trend has continued in Carolina so far, and that experience is a major factor.
Darrell Bevell was an understated yet significant addition to the Carolina Panthers' staff
And when it comes to Young, Bevell had something for that, too.
Bevell was instrumental in Russell Wilson going from a mid-round afterthought to a Super Bowl-winning quarterback in Seattle. Young was already progressing, but he's taken his game to a completely different level so far in 2026.
Others can take credit, and Young's resilience is the biggest element in this equation, but fans shouldn't overlook the importance of Bevell's wisdom in his Year 4 growth.
And sometimes, that's all it takes.
Even though Bevell is working in the shadows, away from the limelight of a head coach or even a coordinator, his fingerprints are all over Carolina's offensive surge. He will likely be instrumental in any adjustments that emerge after the bye week, and Canales made a shrewd decision to get him into the building.
Nobody paid much attention to Bevell's arrival, which is fine. But if the same trend continues, he could be among Carolina's most important offseason additions when it's all said and done.
And the Panthers are lucky to have him.
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