How was the preseason debut of the Carolina Panthers’ No. 1 pick quarterback Bryce Young?

While his first performance for his new team was nothing to write home about, there were a few telltale signs that suggest we’re looking at a very calm and capable quarterback going forward and one who could yet be a genuine star in the making.

How did Bryce Young’s debut for the Carolina Panthers go?

On the surface, there was nothing to shout about when considering Bryce Young’s debut for the Carolina Panthers on Saturday afternoon. In a game that the New York Jets one 27-0, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft wasn’t exceptional. His first pass came following a shotgun snap in an empty formation, after which he calmly through his progressions, though New York Jets defensive lineman Solomon Thomas was seemingly intent on crushing him, and then in turn hit Adam Thielen for a tidy 8-yard gain. Thomas of course proceeded to nail him after which he just got right back up with no problems. On the very next play, he targeted D.J. Chark for another clean completion.

This is all to say that despite the absence of big numbers and plays, the thing that was most noticeable about the 22-year-old was his calmness under pressure in what was his first NFL game. It’s worth noting that Young’s maturity and poise were qualities that were heavily touted prior to his selection with the No. 1 pick, but to see those qualities in action on Saturday was something different. The Panthers have a good one on their hands, and it seems they know it.

What did Bryce Young say about his debut?

Despite his demeanor on the field, the former Alabama star admitted that the idea that he was playing in his first NFL game was still settling in. “It was surreal,” Young said. “It was the first time starting as an NFL quarterback, it’s still honestly crazy to say. There’s definitely emotions. It’s a dream come true for sure. It’s a blessing. It’s crazy to be where I’m at and I don’t take that for granted.” Regarding his overall performance which saw him miss a handful of third-down passes, take a sack, and three hits, Young admitted there is still work to be done. “It was lack of execution, starting with myself,” Young said. “There’s things I definitely could have done better.”

While we can all agree with his take, we must once again mention his poise. Young wasn’t overawed by the moment, never looked bothered by being hit, and took to the speed of the game like fish takes to water. In the end, he finished with 4 of 6 for 21 yards before being replaced by Matt Corral in the second quarter. Ultimately, with two remaining preseason games before the Week 1 opener against the Atlanta Falcons, it’ll be interesting to see how he improves now that we’ve established that he fits right in.