The Carolina Panthers failed Bryce Young in almost every way imaginable last season. Big things were expected considering the bullish claims of those in power and Frank Reich's reputation in league circles. What was initially perceived as the best environment for a rookie quarterback turned out to be anything but.
Young went through one complication after another. The coaching staff and front office went into self-preservation mode, more concerned with appeasing team owner David Tepper than helping the Heisman Trophy winner. This was never going to be a recipe for success, but things look much more promising now.
Dave Canales was entrusted with helping Young reach his objectives moving forward. His progressive thinking and modern-day concepts seem to be having the desired effect so far. Fans are cautiously optimistic, but they want to see how this new power couple performs in a competitive setting before confidence increases.
With this in mind, here are five attainable goals Young can aim for during the 2024 season.
Attainable goals for Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young in 2024
Bryce Young must inspire confidence
Some fans and media members have already written off Bryce Young despite the factors surrounding his rookie failings. Others remain adamant this is the player who can take the Carolina Panthers where they want to go. There doesn't seem to be much in between right now.
Young needs to inspire confidence throughout his NFL sophomore season. Teammates must look to him as a source of inspiration capable of getting them through tough situations through outstanding production and emerging leadership. This should also trickle across the fanbase, although some are more keen on being proven right than anything else looking at some exchanges on social media.
The Mater Dei High School product isn't short of motivation heading into the season. Young's heard all the doubters and harsh criticism thrown in his direction since the 2023 campaign concluded. Taking this on board and harnessing it positively can only lead to improved fortunes if other position groups meet their required targets.
Bryce Young must get the football out quicker
There was one primary emphasis above all else from Dave Canales this summer. The head coach is a renowned developer of quarterback talent and boasts proven credentials to help struggling signal-callers find their feet once again. He had a plan for Bryce Young, although he also thought there wasn't much to fix despite his rookie turmoil.
Canales thought Young could help himself and the Panthers by getting the football out much quicker. Carolina worked to a 2.7-second timeframe throughout the preparation period. This required the Southern California native to get into his throwing position through efficient footwork and to make the correct read almost instantaneously for good measure.
This was a tough challenge for Young and there were moments of struggle over the early stages of camp. At the same time, these traits are exactly why the Panthers brought him to the organization over C.J. Stroud following their strenuous evaluations.
Things started to click over the final three weeks of summer. The release was also much more effective during Young's limited preseason involvement. If the same trend continues when things intensify, the Panthers should see rapid growth from an offensive standpoint.
Bryce Young must improve his completion percentage
One of the biggest positives surrounding Bryce Young during his pre-draft evaluations centered on accuracy. His career completion percentage of 65.8 during his time at Alabama coupled with his exceptional ability to process information quickly led the Panthers to the signal-caller at No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, things did not go according to plan during his first year in the pros.
Again, there are plenty of mitigating circumstances behind Young's demise. The scheme was bland and predictable. The pass-catchers aside from Adam Thielen lacked the consistency needed. As for the offensive line? Their constant struggles were well documented.
Young finished the campaign with a 59.8 percent completion success rate. According to Pro Football Reference, 103 of his 527 attempts were classed as bad throws, which equates to 21.5%. While that's up for debate, the need to improve distribution - especially when downfield opportunities arise - is glaring.
Fortunately for Young, he's demonstrated encouraging production this offseason in that regard. The timing is a lot better and he's maximizing the upgraded weapons effectively enough. How he copes when the pace quickens and the margins get much slimmer will be the most telling measuring stick.
Bryce Young must enhance red-zone efficiency
The Carolina Panthers were not the most efficient offense last season. Getting into the red zone proved complicated and converting these opportunities into touchdowns was even more troublesome. Bryce Young shoulders some of the blame, although one can also point the finger at the team's uninspired schematic concepts and lack of pass-catching separation when the windows were tighter.
This is something that must improve in 2024. Dave Canales has devised a scheme to suit Young strengths. Dan Morgan fortified the offensive line and upgraded the skill positions. If Young can apply more conviction to his red-zone approach, it could be the spark that ignites Carolina to more points and wins along the way.
Young's got the right mindset to stay calm at the business end of the field. He just needs more opportunities.
That's where Canales comes in. The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator has a comprehensive plan in place for every eventuality and is confident he's got the right man under center to put his ambitious schematic demands into action.
Bryce Young must trust his underrated mobility
There's one underrated part of Bryce Young's game that the Panthers must utilize more effectively. The signal-caller is an impressive mover and has the elusiveness to gain significant yardage on the ground when the situation dictates. Picking and choosing the right spots is crucial, but he must trust this ability with some additional NFL experience to call upon in Year 2.
One could forgive Young for being hesitant in the pocket last season. He got almost no time to go through his progressions and see the field thanks to a porous offensive line. Considering the enhancements made in this key area, there should be a little extra freedom this time around if everyone gets a clear run of luck on the health front.
Young needs to be comfortable in the pocket. If things aren't developing as expected, there needs to be more conviction to get out on the move. This increases the risk of taking hits, so removing himself from harm's way quickly will be essential.
If Young can accomplish this effectively over the first few weeks of the season, it gives opposing defenses something else to worry about. That can only help the quarterback on his 2024 road to redemption.