What were major observations from Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young's performance against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9?
After arguably the most impressive outing of his pro career to date, quarterback Bryce Young looked to build further positivity in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts. This game also had added meaning for Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich, who was going up versus the team that deemed him expendable midway through the 2022 campaign.
Reich was keeping an even keel throughout the week. So was Young, who knows the job is far from finished despite Carolina getting their first triumph of the season in the face of No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud last time out.
As it turned out, Young was abysmal and the Panthers' offense suffered as a result. Something that led to yet another home hammering versus beatable opposition.
With this in mind, here are four major observations from Young's performance at Bank of America Stadium.
Bryce Young's protection
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the Carolina Panthers have a protection issue. This is harming Bryce Young's ability to produce the goods under center and despite hopes things would improve, the same old issues remain.
These reared their ugly head right from the outset in Week 9. Young got out on the move when he could, which indicates some real trust issues are building between the offensive line and the signal-caller.
Unless something alters quickly, this is going to remain a serious concern. But in truth, there is no miracle cure at this stage of the season, and certainly not lower down the Panthers' depth chart.
Bryce Young's woeful first half
It was a first half to forget for Bryce Young. The quarterback just couldn't seem to get anything going and his misery only grew as the second quarter drew to a close when he threw an ill-advised interception that went for a touchdown.
If last weekend against the Houston Texans was a step in the right direction overall, this was anything but early on. Young made a lot of uncharacteristic mistakes and although he wasn't helped by mitigating factors around him, has to do better in pursuit of moving the chains.
The statistics spoke for themselves. They also made for pretty grim reading from a signal-caller who's made encouraging strides with every passing week.
- 50 percent completion (7/14)
- 35 passing yards
- 0 touchdowns
- 1 interception (pick-six)
- 3 sacks against
- 10 rushing yards
- 26.5 passer rating (ESPN)
The interception was eerily similar to the two picks Young coughed up to Jessie Bates III at the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1. He got baited after working the field, didn't see the safety coming late underneath, and paid the heaviest price for his lack of judgment.
If there was one solace to take from the first half, it's that Carolina's defense kept them competitive. As for Young and the offense, this opening to the game would be wise to become a repressed memory at the earliest possible opportunity.
Bryce Young's fundamentals
All the positive elements that made Bryce Young's growth so encouraging in recent weeks deserted him against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9. The processing, accuracy, and composure just weren't up to the required standard, which was surprising given the quarterback was coming off the best performance of his professional career last time out.
The signal-caller was never able to get his feet under him. It's not like the Colts' defense was doing anything especially revolutionary, it was more a lack of execution and poor decisions whether pressure arrived or not.
There were a couple of highlights, but no more than that.
The deep connection to Hayden Hurst and the touchdown throw to D.J. Chark was about it. In any case, these plays were completely negated by the three interceptions - two of which went for scores.
Expectations rose following Carolina's first win of the season. But this one was completely on Young's poor play if we're being brutally honest.
There was no rhythm. No conviction. No spark to ignite others around him.
But it was only one game.
Better days will be ahead for Young, one suspects. However, it's imperative that the No. 1 pick gets back to basics and returns to the fundamentally sound presence under center fans have become accustomed to seeing.
Otherwise, the only way is down.
A bad time for Bryce Young to have an off day
Bryce Young picked a terrible day to have his worst game of the season. Two pick-sixes on ill-advised throws is simply unacceptable and nobody will know that more than the former Alabama star himself.
As Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud - the man many thought the Carolina Panthers should have taken at No. 1 overall - broke the NFL's rookie record for passing yards in a single game and threw five touchdowns, Young fluffed his lines. For those inexplicably rooting for his demise rather than getting behind the signal-caller, it was yet more fuel to the fire.
Again, both players are going to be great. It's something I believed during the pre-draft process and still do right now based on their small career sample size - even if it's hard to see where Young is concerned after such a torrid showing.
The Heisman Trophy winner gets held to higher standards than most. That's what happens when you're the first player taken in the draft - especially considering what the Panthers gave up to trade up and take Young.
Concluding whether Young was the right pick or not cannot be done with any conviction yet. It is also far too early to be pressing the panic button given the lack of talent around him on offense.
This is a game Young and the Panthers will want to forget. What's important is shaking it off, learning from the tape, and making sure everything goes right during preparations this week before traveling to the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football.