The big story for the Carolina Panthers out of yesterday’s 48-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was their futile attempt at fielding an NFL defense. But we’re not here to analyze that.
Instead, we’re looking at the big positive—quarterback Bryce Young.
Young put forth another quality showcase in Week 17, completing 15 of his 28 throws for 203 yards and two touchdowns. And while those numbers aren’t the flashiest, his actual play certainly was
Let’s take a dive into the All-22 film to go over Young’s key throws from Sunday . . .
The Film
Right off the bat, head coach Dave Canales dials up a vertical push downfield. The matchup is ideal with a single-high look.
Young has remained intentional with his hitches on dropbacks and it shows here. With the pocket closing, Young remains composed and drops this pass in the bucket for wideout Adam Thielen.
First dropback of the day. 12P out of empty.
Fade route from Thielen (doesn’t win initially).
Doesn’t matter. Young throws an excellent ball into a bucket. 31 yard gain. #Panthers pic.twitter.com/d5Nn99xeCN
— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft) December 30, 2024
If you think back to his time at the University of Alabama, these throws were routine for Young. Adding more consistency to his deep ball is important for his growth, and that pass set the tone for what was one of Young’s best days downfield.
This is another example of a routine play that Young consistently made in college against quality SEC opponents.
Thielen runs a beautiful sluggo seam with a free release from a stacked tight alignment. In the first couple of weeks of the season, you saw Young leave the pocket with reckless abandonment—but not here. He steps up in the pocket and throws this pass into the void for six points.
Bryce Young with 11P out of empty. Scans the field. Good movement up the pocket. Excellent route from Thielen. 6 points.
A work of art. #Panthers pic.twitter.com/BVWpNiwL8T
— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft) December 30, 2024
The following is the best chuck of the day from No. 9, and yet another example of his vertical accuracy improving. This is a perfect and well-placed ball to Thielen, who was seemingly throwing it back to his Minnesota Vikings days.
Sunday’s game saw Young take and make the over-the-top passes that he has struggled with consistently completing, even going back to his Crimson Tide career. While it’s not as long or far as his touchdown pass to Jameson Williams in the 2021 SEC Championship, it was a similar throw against two defenders.
Now, imagine these passes going to an explosive playmaker that can take the top off of a defense or win at all three levels . . .
Go route from 17. Fade away throw from Young with Vita Vea in his face.
Accurate and well-placed vertical throw.
A+++ stuff from No. 9. #Panthers pic.twitter.com/vVN2IdnH4D
— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft) December 30, 2024
It seems like Young has at least one of these point guard-like plays each week. This is a great play where Young navigates the pocket and displays his snappy quick release to complete this throw on the move.
The calmness and steadiness from the second-year signal caller that should standout. Sure, looking like Panthers fan Steph Curry working his way to the top of the key is impressive, but there is no panic from Young on this play.
This is why people call Bryce Young a point guard at QB. His pocket navigation and movement skills are so quick and twitchy– helps him find a new platform to work off of.
Impressive pocket movement and quick release to Ja’Tavion Sanders. #Panthers pic.twitter.com/LQUOPPlTCV
— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft) December 30, 2024
The Verdict
While a 300-plus yard, three-plus touchdown performance from Young would be outstanding—showing consistent growth in critical areas is more important. If there was one area that I felt like he needed to show better placement, it was on those strikes downfield.
Young keeps on displaying poise and outstanding composure, accuracy on all three levels, superb pocket awareness and navigation skills, out-of-structure capacity, and the ability to make big-time throws in critical situations. He deserves the praise.
The goal now is to surround him with quality playmakers while maintaining his growth. Sunday provided another game of progress, and one that has further established Young as the team’s quarterback of the future.