What were some major observations from Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young's performance at the Detroit Lions in Week 5?
Despite what some sections of the fanbase will tell you, Bryce Young has improved over his three NFL starts so far. The Carolina Panthers placed significant responsibilities on his shoulders right out of the gate, but the criticisms reading the team's inept offense revolved primarily around the bland schematic concepts implemented by Frank Reich rather than the rookie quarterback's own failings heading into Week 5 at the Detroit Lions.
It's not perfect, nor should it be at this point of Young's career. But the Panthers have to do more in pursuit of making things easier for their signal-caller - something the coaching staff was planning to do based on a report earlier today by Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.
This was a tough game to make alterations against a team in red-hot form. As it turned out, it was another disastrous day at the office for Young and the Panthers.
With this in mind, here are four major observations from Young's performance in Week 5.
Bryce Young's best connection
It came as no surprise to see what Bryce Young's best connection was in Week 5. Anyone who's watched the Carlina Panthers this season knows that Adam Thielen is the only wide receiver capable of generating separation consistently and in all honesty, is one of very few players trusted to produce the goods.
Thielen ended the day with 11 catches from 13 targets for 107 receiving yards and one touchdown, which is another sign of developing chemistry with Young. This is an undoubted positive, but others just aren't doing enough within a scheme that continues to underwhelm.
Bryce Young's rough first half
After all the talk about the Carolina Panthers not being far away and bouncing back this weekend, their start was nothing short of abysmal. The team didn't look prepared for a battle versus an in-form Detroit Lions organization clearly riding on the crest of a wave, which is unacceptable considering how things have gone over the opening four contests.
Bryce Young wasn't without blame, either. The Heisman Trophy winner threw two costly interceptions, which isn't uncommon for rookie players at the position but extremely disappointing nonetheless.
Young isn't seeing the field as fans were promised by those in power after he was drafted - on occasion, at least. One could argue he should have thrown the football into the dirt instead of forcing the screen to Ian Thomas, but the second-period giveaway was entirely on the former Alabama star.
Instead of seeing the safety coming over the middle, Young thought he had a clear path to the outside. This isn't college anymore and mistakes like these always get punished by players at the very top of their profession.
There were some nice moments, especially with Adam Thielen as previously mentioned. But the first-half statistics spoke for themselves:
- 54.54 percent completion
- 120 passing yards
- 1 touchdown
- 2 interceptions
- 0 sacks against
- 4 rushing yards
- 47.5 passer rating (ESPN)
Growing pains were and still are expected. But the sure-thing promised by the Panthers is now rapidly becoming a work in progress.
Bryce Young is lacking self-confidence
Of course, nobody will look back on this game - or the opening five for that matter - with any great fondness. The Carolina Panthers are a mess and devoid of any inspiration, which starts at the very top and trickles down.
Bryce Young shows moments of genuine quality, but they were fleeting at the Detroit Lions despite picking up some garbage-time stats. The Panthers were never really in the game after three turnovers, which resulted in some flat production after the half-time interval en route to yet another heavy thumping.
Perhaps the most concerning thing of all is the fact Young looks like he's lacking some self-confidence. One can blame the bland schematic concepts for a large part of the team's failings, but the signal-caller is clearly making mistakes that were not in keeping with what we saw during his time at Alabama.
Take the second interception, for example. His processing and shrewd offensive mind know not to throw the ball there - yet, he did it anyway.
A sign of hesitancy and a lack of belief. Something that not many envisaged after a standout career with the Crimson Tide and wowing everyone during the pre-draft evaluation process.
Again, there are flashes of real promise where Young is concerned and it is far too soon to be pressing the panic button. We saw that on occasions during the second half - especially during high-tempo moments where he was allowed to dictate proceedings - but putting together a full game of production represents the biggest issue despite his NFL career being in its relative infancy.
Carolina Panthers need a rethink with Bryce Young
The Carolina Panthers are 0-5 and looking like the worst team in football. They are the league's only winless franchise and look sapped of any of the preseason hope that was fed to fans by those in prominent leadership positions.
They are heading to the Miami Dolphins with a distinct possibility of being 0-6 at their bye week. Therefore, the ONLY thing that matters right now is Bryce Young's development.
Not wins. Not moral victories. Nothing else.
Young is their franchise player - the man Carolina thought enough of to sacrifice what could be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to move up and acquire. Failure is not an option, so the coaching staff needs to rethink their current approach because whatever they've done up to now hasn't worked.
This all starts by building confidence, and it looks like that might have to be a gradual process. Making Thomas Brown the permanent play-caller would help enormously given that hails from the Sean McVay tree and is a far more progressive thicker than head coach Frank Reich.
Trading away draft capital for immediate help via trade is not an option anymore, or at least it shouldn't be. Scheming things up more effectively with the weapons around is the only viable alternative, but Young must also hold himself accountable at all times and continue to be a willing learner.
There is much hard work ahead. But as previously stated, blaming all of Carolina's failings on a rookie quarterback with four career starts is asinine no matter how well C.J. Stroud is performing in Houston.