Panthers: Interim head coach hints it may not be all bad with Bryce Young…
It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Bryce Young through his rookie season.
And frankly, heading into Week 16, the water is still rather choppy. But it could be getting better.
Recently, Carolina Panthers (2-12) interim head coach Chris Tabor indicated that he has seen some subtle growth in Young. And Young backed that position up, stating that he feels he is taking baby steps toward genuine improvement.
“There’s always gonna be some ups and downs with a younger player, and even older players,” Tabor said. “But I like where he’s at right now.”
Young agreed with the sentiment.
“I feel like I’ve taken some baby steps,” Young said. “We’re growing — work in progress.”
It won’t be a memorable rookie season for Young. Statistically, he is one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL.
Among qualified quarterbacks, Young ranks only above Zach Wilson regarding total QBR.
Young has managed to be worse than Mac Jones — who has been benched and re-benched several times throughout the 2023 regular season.
The No. 1 pick has also managed to throw more interceptions (9) than touchdowns (7).
His lack of production amid the Panthers losing season was the primary reason Frank Reich was fired as a head coach. Young is also the reason the Panthers are searching for an offensive-minded head coach to replace the offensive-minded Reich.
After giving up the house to get Young — losing out on the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft — the Panthers are desperate to see any form of improvement from the rookie.
The good news is the interim coach — and Young — feel those desperately sought-after improvements are coming.
“He’s very accurate,” Tabor said. “I think it’s one of the great skills he has, and he can anticipate throws and those things. You’re watchin’ a player get better.”